The Kearney Chamber of Commerce will be opening the doors to the brand-new Visit Kearney Welcome Center on Friday, June 17. The public is invited to celebrate the occasion and to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in the north parking lot of the First Missouri Bank located at 455 S Sam Barr Drive.

*Stacie Bratcher and Jewelee Cox look over the menu of a local restaurant in Kearney's new Welcome Center*

The grand opening includes a double ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off the summer travel season with Kona Ice of Clay County/North Kansas City and the official Visit Kearney Welcome Center! Sweet treats from the Kona Ice truck will be provided for all guests.

In an effort to build on the success of our hospitality and demonstrate our desire to further welcome visitors traveling to the Jesse James Birthplace, the Welcome Center will provide all the information needed to explore Kearney and the surrounding area. Visitors will receive insider advice about the best local restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and main attractions from the Kearney Chamber staff.

“We could not be more optimistic about this opportunity to serve both the community and visitors from our new Welcome Center,” said Kearney Chamber Executive Director Stacie Bratcher. “We are grateful for this win-win partnership with the City of Kearney and the Chamber of Commerce, which brings increased visibility, engagement and service to our mutual stakeholders.”

At the Welcome Center you will find friendly faces, local restaurant menus, travel guides, and business contacts. The number one goal is for visitors to leave informed and excited to explore and create long lasting memories in Kearney, Missouri.

"This new Welcome Center builds on our work to showcase all of the landmark gems that Kearney has to offer, attracting visitors from around the world and boosting our tourism economy,” said Gerri Spencer, Chamber Board President and Kearney Historic Museum Director.

“If this project goes well, and we believe it will, we see this as the beginning of the Kearney Chamber and Visitors Bureau. As we move forward, it is our hope that the City of Kearney will support the Chamber in becoming the primary destination marketing organization of Kearney, Missouri. This will allow us to pursue the goals of accelerating sustainable economic growth and development by increasing visitor business with a special focus of attracting overnight visitors,” said Bratcher

Owned and operated by the Kearney Chamber of Commerce, the official Visit Kearney Welcome Center is a place to welcome visitors, provide tourism information, and assist travelers and new movers. As visitors and tourists make their way into town, they are encouraged to visit the Welcome Center. Welcome Center hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To plan your next trip to Kearney, Missouri, visit the new VisitKearneyMO.com website or @VisitKearneyMO on Facebook.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story