Jackson to celebrate completion of new gateway sign with ribbon-cutting ceremony

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — The City of Jackson and the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the completion of the city’s new gateway sign Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony along East Main Street.

Located at the intersection of East Main Street and Old Orchard Road, the new “Welcome to Jackson” sign is part of the city’s Welcome and Wayfinding Signage Program. The project was funded through the Missouri Division of Tourism’s Marketing Platform Development Grant Program, which supports communities in developing tourism assets that enhance destination marketing and improve the visitor experience.

Located along one of Jackson’s main entry corridors, the sign features the city’s recently adopted logo and branding and is designed to welcome visitors while promoting community pride.

“The new gateway sign is more than just a welcome marker,” Mayor Dwain Hahs said. “It represents the partnership, investment and vision that continue to move Jackson forward. Whether someone is visiting for the first time, considering opening a business or returning home, this sign helps showcase the pride we have in our community.”

Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce Retail and Membership Director, Janna Clifton said the East Main corridor was chosen because of the continued residential and commercial growth happening in that part of the city.

“Jackson is growing, that is for sure. But this specific corridor at Exit 102 and East Main, we see a lot of development happening,” Clifton said.

She said the gateway sign represents the next step in Jackson’s continued growth and serves as a welcoming entrance for residents, visitors and future businesses.

The project was completed through a partnership between the City of Jackson, the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Jackson and the Missouri Division of Tourism. Clifton said the gateway sign was 100% grant funded through the Missouri Division of Tourism.

The gateway sign is part of a larger signage initiative that also includes two community and event signs in Uptown Jackson. Together, the three projects represent about $65,000 in signage improvements.

Clifton said tourism is about more than attracting visitors. She said it’s also about building community pride and encouraging people to support local businesses and events.

“I think when you think tourism, you think visitors coming to the town, and we want that,” Clifton said. “But tourism isn’t just someone coming to town to see a specific museum or site. Tourism is community pride… This is building on our community pride. This is building on everything that Jackson has to offer.”