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Region Gets Ready to Launch Branding Study
Fort Leonard Wood, MO – October 13, 2005 ---- The monthly meeting of Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood Region (MFLWR) was held at the Waynesville High School Library in Waynesville. Bob Kreuter, chairman of the MFLWR, welcomed all to the meeting. On behalf of the Waynesville School District, Dr. Ed Musgrove welcomed the MFLWR board to the high school.
Special guests at the meeting included the Honorable David Day, State Representative for the 148th District; and Bill Ransdall, representing the Honorable Frank Barnitz, State Senator for the 16th District.
Bob Kreuter presented membership certificates to the City of Waynesville and the Waynesville School District for their continuing support of the association. Accepting for Waynesville were the Honorable Luge Hardman, City Council Member; and Bruce Harrill, City Administrator. Accepting for the school district was Dr. Ed Musgrove, Superintendent.
Sue Halter, Deputy Garrison Commander of Fort Leonard Wood, provided the FLW update. She said that all the major construction projects on post continue to be on-track. The new dual-food court will open in January, and the main post exchange is scheduled to open in July. The food court may have a soft opening in December.
The new aviation facility will be ready to open in August. The final FAA certification test flight is still scheduled for December. They are working to get the flight conducted sooner.
On Friday, Oct 21, at 10:30, there will be a joint ceremony for the opening of Missouri Avenue and the Main Gate of the installation. It will occur at the main gate. Larry Sexton noted that the FLW RCGA was a strong advocate of the Missouri Avenue upgrade and the new West Gate road. It helped make those two projects a reality. The association should take special pride along with Fort Leonard Wood, St. Robert and Waynesville in making those projects happen.
The BRAC and returning overseas unit moves are on track. FLW will grow by over 1,900 military and civilian jobs between now and 2011. In June, the 94th Engineering Battalion will arrive. It has over 840 positions associated with it.
There was a general discussion of military assistance to hurricane survivors, both in the states affected and here at Fort Leonard Wood. Luge Hardman expressed her personal thanks for all that the military did for her family members who were affected by Hurricane Rita.
Ed Musgrove gave the Schools Report. He said that Waynesville School District had received 24 students as a result of the hurricanes. He expected that Rolla and Lebanon had received similar numbers of students.
Luge Hardman provided the Airport Committee report. She stated that the Joint Airport Board, which includes St. Robert and Waynesville, is visiting other regional airports to get a better appreciation for what can be done before they finalize plans for use of the $360 thousand in grant monies the Waynesville Regional Airport already has. She envisions that the funding will help build the initial office space and hangers needed to support private and corporate aviation at the airport.
Chris Heard reported on the proceedings of the Regional Marketing Committee. Chris stated that the marketing committee has finalized a request for proposal to conduct a branding study and develop a marketing program. The study and program will be phased and may cost as much as $100 thousand when completed. Steve Tupper commented that this was an effort that needed to be done right, comprehensively and coherently if we wanted to see good results. Bob Kreuter accepted the RFP and asked the membership and finance committees to address the funding needs.
The Regional Workforce Study is also underway. The study has two parts. The first is an extensive telephone survey of adults in the region. This part provides information on workforce availability and skills. The second part is a written survey mailed to major employers in the region. This part will give us an understanding of the workforce from the employer perspective, to include identification of needed skills and aptitudes. MFLWR members have been working with companies to make sure a good percentage of these surveys are returned. The study will be completed in November.
Elections were held for the three at-large members of the executive committee. Norm Herren, Steve Jenkins and Bill Marshall join Bob Kreuter and Bruce Harrill on the executive committee.
Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood Region is a not-for-profit association which promotes economic and community development in the Fort Leonard Wood Region. The region extends along the I-44 Technology Corridor from Lebanon to Rolla/St. James. It includes the three counties of Laclede, Pulaski and Phelps. Its membership includes cities, counties, school districts, utility companies, businesses and other associations. Fort Leonard Wood, University of Missouri Rolla, United States Geological Survey, the regional planning councils and the Missouri Department of Economic Development also participate.
Fort Leonard Wood Region meetings are normally held on the second Tuesday of the month, and the public is always invited. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 1:30PM in St. Robert. Call 573-329-8505 to confirm time and place.
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