At least this year, the organizers of the annual State of the County address won’t have to get up so early on the day of the event.
The Jefferson County Growth Association, which puts on the annual event that showcases economic growth in the county and gives movers and shakers a chance to share breakfast, will be held virtually this year.
“It’s because of COVID, obviously,” said Dan Govero, president of the Growth Association. “We decided to hold it virtually this year.”
Typically the address starts at 7 a.m. with prep work beginning long before that, but this year, elements of the program already have been recorded and it’s being assembled into a video that will be streamed beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15.
“It will be accessible on our website (jcgamo.org),” Govero said. “We’ll have details on the website about how to access it closer to the date.”
Govero said KJFF Radio (1400 AM), which normally broadcasts the event live, may replay the audio portion later that day.
“That way, we’ll be able to reach more people,” he said.
The video also will be shown after the original viewing, he said, again to maximize the number of viewers.
The event was recorded at Rickman Auditorium in Arnold.
“We all got together on one day and recorded it,” Govero said. “The students from the school – the Scouts who present the flags, the band and the others – recorded their parts. We tried not to all be in the auditorium at the same time to practice social distancing. After the students’ portions were taped, we did the speeches.”
Govero, as the president of the Growth Association, typically gives a presentation, and Scott Seek, president of the recently formed Jefferson County Tourism Commission, also will speak.
“It was a little strange, when you’re used to addressing a room with more than 300 people in it, to deliver a speech to an empty room,” Govero said.
The event is hosted on two-year cycles by school districts around the county; as this year’s host superintendent, Fox C-6’s Nisha Patel also will speak.
“Dennis Gannon couldn’t make it at the time we recorded our speeches,” Govero said. “It’s my understanding he came later in the day.”
Gannon, as county executive, gives the keynote speech, outlining economic progress in the county for the past year and setting plans for the coming year.
Govero said the general theme of the presentation will be looking to the future.
“We’re speaking about what we’ve accomplished, even with COVID, and what we hope to accomplish moving forward,” he said. “Even though it’s going to be a virtual event, we’re hoping that we reach more people who couldn’t normally attend.”
Govero said he was worried about lining up sponsors for a virtual event, but that hasn’t been a problem.
“I’ve been really happy with the number of sponsors we’ve been able to attract,” he said. “We appreciate the support.”
Govero said financially, the State of the County event is typically a break-even affair for the Growth Association, and he expects this year won’t be much different.
While some of the group’s fundraisers have gone by the boards this year, Govero said the annual golf tournament, held in October, was a rousing success.
“We had a record turnout,” he said.
For information on the State of the County address, check the Growth Association’s website or Facebook page.