FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NexCore Productions and South County Chamber partner to launch The SOCO Spotlight.
New storytelling initiative will shine a light on the people, businesses and organizations making an impact across South County.
SOUTH COUNTY, MO — AUGUST 17, 2026
NexCore Productions, a NexCore company, and the South County Chamber today announced a new partnership to launch The SOCO Spotlight, a community storytelling initiative created to showcase the people, businesses, organizations and ideas making a difference throughout South County.
The SOCO Spotlight will bring those stories to life through interviews, photography, video and digital features, giving the community an opportunity to meet the people behind the businesses, organizations and efforts helping shape South County.
The initiative also represents a collaboration between two organizations committed to strengthening community connections in different ways: the South County Chamber through business and community engagement, and NexCore Productions through storytelling, media and production.
A NEW VOICE FOR THE SOCO SPOTLIGHT
Reagan Dortch
Leading the initiative as its first Community Champion is Reagan Dortch, a high school senior from Highland, Illinois, whose connection to South County began in an unexpected way.
Dortch first began spending time in South County while helping her mother, Amber, a member of NexCore's leadership team, at the NexCore building. She later returned to assist during NexCore's grand opening, where she met dozens of South County residents, business owners and community leaders, along with Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek, St. Louis County Executive Democratic nominee Jake Zimmerman, and State Representative candidate Adam Hopkins.
She left an impression that lasted well beyond the event.
She's got an incredibly bright future.
LARRY COHN, FORMER BUSINESS PARTNER OF FOUNDER JIM SHELVY
The experience introduced Dortch to a community she had previously known very little about — and inspired her to begin telling its stories.
When we started looking for someone to lead The SOCO Spotlight, we needed a person who could relate to people and build bridges. Reagan had just been introduced to South County, and she connected with it instantly. She was the logical choice.
TAYLOR MILLER, FOUNDING CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER
A STORYTELLER'S START
“Any kind of experience is good for me.”
Before the launch, the Chamber and NexCore Productions sat down with Dortch to talk about her background, her aspirations, and what drew her to the work.
Marketing takes five different categories and puts them into one — photography, journalism, writing, all of it. That's what I love about it.
REAGAN DORTCH
Dortch already brings hands-on storytelling experience to the role. As editor of her high school yearbook, she works across photography, writing, editing, design and production. She is also currently exploring her next chapter and touring colleges, including Missouri State University and Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO).
Asked about stepping into interviewing — something she had never done — her answer was simple.
Any kind of experience is good for me. I'd only done graphics. I'd never done interviews or anything like that. So I definitely wanted to try it.
REAGAN DORTCH
She has already completed her first interview for The SOCO Spotlight ahead of Media Cavern's October 17 grand opening, officially putting the new initiative into motion.
PUTTING SOUTH COUNTY IN THE SPOTLIGHT
One story at a time.
The SOCO Spotlight is designed around a simple idea: extraordinary things are happening throughout South County every day, but the people behind them don't always get the opportunity to tell their stories.
Through the partnership, NexCore Productions and the South County Chamber intend to change that — one story at a time.
Future SOCO Spotlight features will introduce audiences to entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits, community leaders, residents and others whose work, ideas or service are contributing to South County.
The SOCO Spotlight is a joint initiative of NexCore Productions and the South County Chamber.
ABOUT NEXCORE PRODUCTIONS
NexCore Productions is a NexCore company focused on media, storytelling, content and production designed to connect people, organizations and communities.
ABOUT THE SOUTH COUNTY CHAMBER
The South County Chamber is a community-focused organization dedicated to strengthening connections among South County businesses, residents and community leaders while creating new opportunities to celebrate and support the people who make South County stronger.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jim Shelvy, Founder
314.380.5755
press@thesocochamber.org