Norm Herren welcomed Ben Jones, the new CEO of America’s Heartland Economic Partnership, Lebanon’s and Laclede County’s economic development corporation, to the board.  Ben was the economic developer for Montgomery City for nine years.  He is very active in the Missouri Economic Development Council.  Ben stated that he was glad to be here and was looking forward to participating in the regional effort.  He said that Montgomery City is part of a three-county regional association which is able to do marketing that the individual cities and counties could not afford to do by themselves.

            Norm Herren gave an update on Bob Kreuter’s health status.  Bob is the chairman of the association.  Bob is getting ready for surgery to remove cancer traces in his lung and liver.  His physicians say that the detection was very early so he has a good chance of a clean recovery.  He expects to be back to work in a couple months.  We will provide email updates to members as his status changes.  Norm asked that everyone keep Bob in their thoughts and prayers.

            Bruce Harrill provided the Airport Committee report.  He stated that the Joint Airport Board, which includes St. Robert and Waynesville, is working with the Army to acquire 20 more acres for the commercial side of the airport.  An environmental study is now on-going to support the development.  They are also installing self-service fuel pumps for aircraft after-hours.

            Norm Herren reported on the membership committee.   He stated that they were looking to increase board membership to include more sustaining, non-government members.  Bill Marshal said that it was important for MFLWR to clearly establish and present its mission and focus if greater corporate membership was to happen.  Bill also asked about efforts to get other counties involved.  He volunteered to go and participate in presentations to Pulaski and Laclede Counties if it would help.  Norm announced the next meeting of the membership committee, with the finance committee, will be May 3, 10am, at the St Robert Municipal Center. 

            Chris Heard reported on the metrics committee.  His committee is charged with determining what the success measures are for the association.   He said that it was important that the MFLWR complement the efforts of the local economic development organizations.  Richard Cavender, MRPC, stated that they supported the MFLWR since it can do things that the state established regional planning councils cannot do.  Ben Jones stated that the organization needs to be careful double-hitting the same donors.  It may be more appropriate for the area organizations to increase their support the regional effort.   Randy Verkamp stated that the association will have to talk about results – and that means jobs.  Buz Harvey stated that his company is glad to support today at the $1-2K/year level.  If firm goals can be stated, they would support at an even higher level.  He thinks that there are a number of Fort Leonard Wood-related companies that should be sustaining members of the organization.  Economic growth of the region is in their best interest.  Rick Prugh stated that the move towards regional economic development at the federal level is very clear.  As a region we should have several 2007 opportunities for funding by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). 

            Chris Heard discussed the marketing committee.  He says that the committee is looking at both external and internal communications.  They have finalized letters to site selectors asking them to view our website.  He is finalizing a region brochure to go with the letters.  Ron Selfors reported that the website (www.MidAmericaLocations.org) information is being updated.  Letter has been prepared to go to other website owners asking them to add links to us from their websites. 

            Ron Selfors reported on the progress by the Jeff City Presentations Committee.  In the summer the committee is planning a region update briefing in Jeff City to the Department of Economic Development leadership and staff.  Sharon Gulick is getting several dates for us to consider.  They are also proposing a Day in the Fort Leonard Wood Region for key state decision makers in the legislative and executive branches.  The invited guests will start with breakfast at one end of the regional corridor, have lunch in Pulaski County and wind up at the other end of the corridor for dinner and a final social event.  During the visit the guests will get a first hand feel for the opportunities and challenges that the region faces and the region’s great potential to become a major economic engine for Missouri.  Bill Marshall advised that we should make the visit shorter, all day will be too much for many of them due to their busy schedules.

            Greg Maxwell, 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 first homes to be constructed under the Residential Community Initiative (RCI) are due to be completed this month.  American Eagle will then begin their full construction program which will complete at least one new home per day for the next eight years.  Approximately 50 homes will be under construction at any given time. 

            The new post exchange will be completed in July with grand opening in September or October.  The Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) Responder Training Facility is under construction.  It is scheduled to be completed in April 2007. 

            On April 13 the FAA will publish the availability of the instrument landing system at Fort Leonard Wood.  As soon as the FAA runs a final reliability test flight later this month, it will be operational.  Once operational, the regional airport at Fort Leonard Wood will become the only all-weather airport between Springfield and St. Louis.

            A ceremony was held on April 10 for the transfer of the land from the Army to the State for the new veterans’ cemetery near the West Gate.  US Representative Ike Skelton participated in that ceremony. 

            The change of command for Colonel JC Abney, the Garrison Commander, will be June 27.  His replacement will be Colonel John Megnia, a Chemical Corps officer. 

            The arrival of the 94^th Engineer Battalion from Germany is still scheduled for June and July.  Equipment is arriving now.  Over 700 soldiers plus their family members are expected to arrive from Germany and other locations during the spring and summer.  

            The machine used to generate Frequent Visitor passes is down and needs to be replaced.  The post is issuing 30 day passes in the meantime.   

            On April 25 there will be a major exercise that will affect traffic at the north and south gates from 8:30 to 11:30am.  He advises employees and visitors to arrange their schedules to avoid the gates during that time.    

            Norm Herren asked for progress reports from around the region.  Gerald Dowdy reported that St. John’s will soon build a new, larger clinic in Rolla to replace their current facility near the medical center.  It will be on Highway 72.  John Butz reported that Rolla has contracted with TranSystems to develop a master plan for development of the 1,100 acre Vichy airport.  Norm Herren reported that St. Robert is working with a private developer to establish a 300 acre industrial/business park at the Interstate 44 exit 159.

            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, May 9, 1:30PM in the St. Robert Municipal Center.  As part of this meeting there will be a tour of the new Freedom Elementary School currently under construction.  Call 573-329-8505 or visit the news section of the website (www.MidAmericaLocations.org) to confirm time and place.

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