Craig Amason, a special projects librarian at Missouri State University, recently was interviewed on the “Making Democracy Work” weekly program on KSMU, the local public radio station, about his research into the increasing diversity of the population in Noel, Missouri, in McDonald County, located in the extreme southwest corner of the state.  

Most of the population change has occurred in the past 30 years. Jobs have driven this diversification, especially the poultry processing plants in McDonald County, but the impact has been felt throughout the social fabric — on the school district, local businesses, and even churches. Many long-time residents of McDonald have accepted the growing diversity of the county’s population. 

Making Democracy Work is supported by the League of Women Voters. Debbie Good conducted the interview.