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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- A local economic development organization recently joined a group that may help bring new businesses or industries to town.

Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Incorporated (K-REDI) is already a member of the Northeast Missouri Development Partnership.

About a month ago, that organization became a part of the Community Venture Network based in Minnesota.

Community Venture Network strives to help communities bring economic development to the area.

"They promise 30 leads a year of companies, some of them might be startups, some of the might be looking for expansion, but ones who want to go out and to work and to expand their businesses in rural communities," said Carolyn Chrisman, K-REDI director of economic development.

Chrisman said K-REDI has already received one lead from Community Venture Network in just the past month.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, a representative from A.T. Still University presented the K-REDI board with a Fellow Award recognizing the organization for its $100,000 donation toward ATSU's new dental school.

The K-REDI board also agreed on a final version of the evaluation criteria for the director of economic development.

Over the past few weeks, members have been revising and customizing the job evaluation form to suit the position.

Chrisman announced that K-REDI’s website has been revamped into a WordPress website, making it easier for staffers to make updates and changes.

She also told the board that K-REDI now has a facebook page, and she encouraged everyone in attendance to “like” the page.