Tag: missouri youth

By Ricky Dana

Young people in rural Missouri are being forced to choose between staying close to family or chasing opportunity somewhere else. And too often, opportunity wins—because there just aren’t enough good-paying, fulfilling jobs close to home. It doesn’t have to be this way.

We can create a future where rural Missouri families stay together, and young adults have the chance to thrive without leaving the communities that raised them. To do that, we need serious investment in technical training, apprenticeships, and real job creation right here in our region.

Not Everyone Wants—or Needs—a Four-Year Degree

The idea that a four-year degree is the only path to success is outdated and unfair. Not everyone wants to go to college. Not everyone should have to. And not everyone can afford it.

Instead of pushing student debt, we should be offering choices. Technical schools and community colleges like State Fair Community College in Sedalia already provide two-year nursing programs that lead directly to good-paying careers. These programs need more state and federal support so that every Missourian who wants a career in the trades or health care can afford to pursue it—without going into debt.

We should also fund and expand local apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs. Missouri’s Apprenticeship Missouri program is a good start, but we need more rural employers, unions, and technical centers involved to truly make an impact. This could include construction, welding, HVAC, agriculture technology, broadband installation, and even advanced manufacturing. These are skilled careers that pay well—and they shouldn’t require moving to the city.

Free Community College—If You’re Willing to Work

One of the best investments we can make in Missouri’s future is providing free community college to anyone who is ready to put in the work. Tennessee led the way with its Tennessee Promise, offering eligible high school graduates tuition‑free access to community or technical colleges—using a “last‑dollar” scholarship after federal and state aid. This resulted in a 30 % increase in first‑year enrollment and helped many young people earn associate degrees without debt. Missouri should follow that model and offer the same opportunity—so a high school graduate here can get a two‑year degree or technical certification at no cost if they commit to working in their field at home for a few years.

We can also use federal workforce grants and infrastructure funds to create new regional learning hubs that serve multiple counties. These centers could offer everything from diesel mechanic training to fiber optic tech certifications—exactly the kinds of jobs our rural communities need to grow and compete in the 21st century.

Work Hard, Play Hard—Recreation Matters Too

Strong communities need more than jobs—they need quality of life. Recreation and public spaces give people a reason to stay, raise families, and build lasting roots. That means more investments in local parks, trails, sports leagues, summer camps, and even after-school programs.

We can tap into existing federal support like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as USDA rural development grants, to build recreational facilities that keep young people active, engaged, and proud to call Missouri home. These kinds of projects are shovel-ready and community-backed—we just need the leadership to fight for them.

“When you send me to D.C. in the 2026 election, I’ll never vote against Missouri or our farmers, workers, and families. We’ll build opportunity from the ground up—and keep our communities together.”

It’s time to help, not hinder. With targeted programs, local investment, and the political will to put our people first, we can build a rural Missouri where no one is forced to leave just to live a good life.