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Steve Ehrhardt New Director for Lebanon/Laclede County
Fort Leonard Wood, MO – January 12, 2006 ---- The monthly meeting of Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood Region (MFLWR) was held at the Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) conference room in Building Two of the University of Missouri Technology Park at Fort Leonard Wood. Bob Kreuter, chairman of the MFLWR, welcomed all to the meeting and thanked CTC for their hospitality.
Special guest at the meeting was Sharon Gulick from the State Department of Economic Development (DED). Sharon is the team leader for an area which includes Phelps and Pulaski County. She is also the DED lead for the defense and homeland security industry sectors and provides DED support to the Military Enhancement and Preparedness Commission. She also actively participates in the Leonard Wood Institute. Bob Kreuter noted that Sharon is well respected on the DED staff and how fortunate we are to have her supporting our region. Bob welcomed Sharon as the new DED representative on the MFLWR board.
Bob Kreuter also welcomed Steve Ehrhardt, Board Chairman of the America’s Heartland Economic Development Corporation, as the Lebanon/Laclede County board member. Steve replaces Steve Jenkins who took a new position with the economic development corporation of Corpus Christi, TX.
Ron Selfors, the executive director, provided a written report of his activities during the previous month. His report included a summary of a recent visit to the Tech Park of the co-owners of a Raleigh, NC, company called Knowledge Sharing Systems (KSS). The visit was the result of coordination between Senator Bond’s office, board member Larry Sexton, and the University of Missouri System. As the result of the visit, KSS will be establishing an operating location in the Tech Park. KSS develops and operates computer systems that help government agencies and large universities manage intellectual property. Their operation here will be in support of an Army contract. The region’s competition was the new tech park in Columbia, MO.
Greg Maxwell, from the office of the Garrison Commander of Fort Leonard Wood, provided the FLW Update. He said that all construction projects on post are on schedule. The National Guard aviation facility is completed. Senator Bond will dedicate the facility this month or next.
The new post exchange will be completed in July and open in August or September. The Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) Responder Training Facility is under construction. It is scheduled to be completed in April 07. Work is set to start on the cave complex this month.
Construction of the Counter Explosive Hazards Center should begin soon. Design work is about to begin on the Reserve/National Guard Regional Training Institute.
The final procedures for the instrument landing system are due to be published by the FAA, and the system will be operational next month. The regional airport at Fort Leonard Wood will then become the only all-weather airport between Springfield and St. Louis.
Bruce Harrill provided the Airport Committee report. He stated that the Joint Airport Board, which includes St. Robert and Waynesville, has made a submission to the FAA Military Airport Program for a grant of over one million dollars to improve general aviation facilities at the airport. This marks a major milestone in efforts by Waynesville and St. Robert to provide needed airport infrastructure improvements.
Bob Kreuter announced that Chris Heard will be the new chairman of the Regional Marketing Committee. Chris reported on the proceedings of the Regional Marketing Committee. He stated that the Regional Workforce Study draft reports are now under review by the counties. The reports reflect that the region is very competitive with respect to its workforce quality and availability. The final study results will be publicly available in March.
Ron Selfors reported that the region’s website is in the process of being transferred from its development site to its operational site. A news release will be distributed shortly when the site becomes operational.
Bob Kreuter also established a committee to develop and implement a regional presentation to state leaders in Jefferson City. Elizabeth Bax will lead the committee. She is planning the first visit for March 8. These presentations will help ensure the state leaders are aware of regional needs and initiatives.
Bill Marshall stated that John Butz, City Administrator for Rolla, and he were asked to give a presentation to the Pulaski County Commissioners on their experience in establishing a county economic development corporation (EDC). Today, both Laclede and Phelps have EDCs, but Pulaski does not. John and Bill discussed the steps, the investment and the time needed to successfully launch an EDC. The presentations were well received. Pulaski County continues to research the program needed. In the interim, the economic development committee of the Waynesville/St. Robert Chamber of Commerce is attempting to fill the void.
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, February 14, 1:30PM at the St. Robert Municipal Center, St. Robert. Call 573-329-8505 to confirm time and place.
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