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Region Finalizes Rules of Engagement for Marketing
Fort Leonard Wood, MO – May 13, 2005 ---- The monthly meeting of Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood Region was held at the University of Missouri Technology Park at Fort Leonard Wood. Bob Kreuter, chairman of the MFLWR, welcomed all to the meeting. Special guest was Bud Dean, Phelps County Commissioner.
Bob Kreuter recognized the City of Saint Robert for continuing their membership and their contribution of $10,000 to the Region. Norm Herren accepted the certificate on behalf of the city. He also recognized major fund contributions by two leading regional corporations. He presented certificates to Claudia Sands, representing Sprint, for a $3,000 contribution; and to Buz Harvey, representing Hogan Construction, for a $1,000 contribution.
Ron Selfors, the executive director of the MFLWR, summarized some of the regional events that he participated in since the last meeting. On April 25 Dr. Carolyn Mahoney, President of Lincoln University, visited the Tech Park as part of her initial visit to Fort Leonard Wood. She was briefed on the region, BRAC, the Tech Park and Leonard Wood Institute (LWI). Lincoln University now has a liaison officer at Fort Leonard Wood, Ollie Jackson, who does for Lincoln, what Steve Tupper does for University of Missouri Rolla .
On April 27 he went to Jefferson City with Rick Prugh, Missouri Enterprise, to meet with members of the state legislature to answer questions about the FLW tech park technology program. They met with Senators Frank Barnitz and Chuck Purgason, and Representatives David Day, Bob May, David Pierce, Darrell Pollack and Don Wells. Our legislators were very supportive of the effort. However, none of them were included in the joint panel finalizing the Department of Economic Development legislation, and the program funding did not survive the final cuts.
They also met with representatives from the Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Governor’s office and the US Senators’ offices to discuss BRAC. DED agreed to develop a joint news release to be released as soon as the list was made public. On the 28th and 29th he participated in a DED academy where he heard a number of DED staff members and outside consultants discuss various aspects of economic development. Colby Tanner, Wal-Mart’s site selector for distribution centers, and Rick McDowell, Senior site selection manager with KPMG, talked to the group about the site selection process.
On April 29, Governor Matt Blunt visited the region. As part of his initial visit to FLW, he came and spent about a half-hour at the Tech Park. Most of that time was spent briefing him up on the base realignment and closure (BRAC) process. We also briefed him on the Tech Park and LWI.
On May 2 a program review of the upcoming science and technology conference was conducted. With less than 60 days to go, a final go/no go decision was needed on whether to have the conference. Unfortunately, the dates put us in competition with several other national conferences that were taking exhibitors and participants away. There was an unacceptable risk to holding a quality conference. So the conference was cancelled for this year.
On May 4 a special RCGA board meeting was held to discuss Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). We had great participation from regional stakeholders. We are anticipating Department of Defense list release on May 13.
Ron said that he “continues to feel we are making great progress in the region with respect to economic development. It’s a great time to be living and working in the Fort Leonard Wood Region.”
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 Specker convenience store should open in August. The new dual-food court should open this fall, and the new main post exchange should open in summer 06.
The final installation of the instrument landing system will be completed by July 13. The safety cables on Polla Road have been installed, and the new speed limit on Polla Road is now 55 MPH.
Erv Morriss gave the schools’ report. He said that Waynesville high school graduation will be on May 20. Rolla’s will be on the 27th; and Newburg’s, on the 20th. St. Robert Elementary is on schedule for occupancy in time for the 06/07 school year. Thayer Elementary is undergoing a $2 million major renovation this year and next. The old Waynesville middle school is also under renovation.
A major agenda item was the adoption of rules of engagement for regional marketing. The rules specify how leads will be handled within the region when they come in from the website, general regional marketing, or from “prospecting missions” or trade shows. Some leads will be distributed to all interested members while others will be given only to those who specifically meet the requirements of the interested company.
Steve Jenkins reported on the progress being made by the regional marketing committee. The regional target industry study is underway and will be completed in June. Adam Prager and Bob Ady will return on June 8, visited to provide the Region with its final report. This will be a joint meeting with the MFLWR board. Meeting will begin at 10am in the Tech Park. He said, “This is a critical meeting which everyone needs to make. It will set the tone for our entire marketing effort.”
Funding for the regional labor study has now been finalized. This study will document the availability and quality of the workforce in the FLW region. The study will begin June 1.
The Fort Leonard Wood RCGA is a not-for-profit association which promotes economic and community development in the Fort Leonard Wood Region. The region extends along I-44 from Lebanon to Rolla/St. James. It includes Iberia to the north and Houston to the south. Its membership includes cities, 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 RCGA meetings are normally held on the second Tuesday of the month, and the public is invited. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 10am at the Technology Park at Fort Leonard Wood. Call 573-329-8522 to confirm time and place.
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