Chamber's community development director excited about big-impact projects

Mark Mehmert is the director of community development for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mark Mehmert is the director of community development for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

As Mark Mehmert took a seat for an interview in downtown Jefferson City's Coffee Zone, he took a moment to catch his breath.

That's a rare treat for the director of community development for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce. These days, it would be faster to ask him for the list of projects in which he isn't involved.

Outside of personal obligations, such as serving on the Chamois School board - in a community he has lived in for most of his life - Mehmert has filled his calendar with meetings for committees and subcommittees for the chamber's new economic development strategic plan. He currently serves as the chamber contact for the action committees that are examining the Missouri State Penitentiary, downtown and Old Town.

Part of the excitement for Mehmert is the fact that he has the opportunity, with the help of both community volunteers and fellow chamber staff, to tackle some of the most long-standing projects in Jefferson City.