On behalf of the Board of Directors and the membership of the Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce I would like to welcome you to Hannibal and the surrounding area. Our Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization, which acts as a central agency with the purpose of improving businesses, the business environment, and building a better community. Our purpose is to promote the commercial, industrial, civic, and general welfare of the Hannibal area, leading to its optimum development and growth.

We are over 400 members strong of all types of businesses, industrial, commercial and professional entities. Our members are indeed the strength of our organization, and work together to make our Chamber successful.

Hannibal is located in Northeast Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi River, and Hannibal has it all beginning with a strong City Government. The Manager-Council form of government serves us well with an active Mayor and City Manager dedicated to making Hannibal a better place to live and work. Tourism is very important, as Hannibal is the boyhood home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain). The continued revitalization of the downtown has been strengthened by the selection of Hannibal as a Dream Initiative Community. The Hannibal Convention and Visitor’s Bureau does a very nice job promoting Hannibal.

This strategic midwestern location on the Mississippi River makes it a prime location for a wide variety of industrial, retail and service oriented businesses. The Northeast Missouri Economic Development Council is very active in bringing new partners to our area.

Hannibal is served by the Hannibal Public Schools, Home Education, the Hannibal Career and Technical Center, and Parochial schools. Hannibal is also home to Hannibal LaGrange College, a four-year liberal arts college and a campus of Moberly Area Community College, a two-year community college.

An expanding regional health care campus includes Hannibal Regional Hospital, The James E. Cary Cancer Center, The Hannibal Clinic, The Hannibal Clinic Ambulatory Care Center, The Northeast Missouri Ambulatory Surgery Center, and the Hannibal Regional Medical Group.

The William P. Lear Field airport recently had a runway extension, and additional projects are pending including an additional runway extension and terminal renovation. Also the Avenue of the Saints on route 61 between St Louis and St. Paul will all be four lanes by 2008, and route 36 across the state will all be four lanes by 2009, strategically linking Hannibal with St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Paul, Jefferson City, Springfield, Ill., and Chicago.

I would like to personally thank all existing Chamber members, and invite other businesses to join us making us stronger yet.

I welcome you all to come visit us and you too will Believe in Hannibal!!

Sincerely,

Terry R. Sampson
Executive Director