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Region Launches Labor Study
Fort Leonard Wood, MO – July 13, 2005 ---- The monthly meeting of Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood Region (MFLWR) 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 guests included Bonnie Prigge, Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC); Ellen Summers, Fort Wood Realty; and Debbie Wikowsky, the new director of the Lebanon Area Chamber.
Ron Selfors, the executive director of the RCGA, summarized some of the regional events that occurred since the last MFLWR meeting. On 9 June the Region briefed Colonel Todd Simonite, the new Assistant Commandant of the Engineer School about the Region, the Tech Park and the Leonard Wood Institute (LWI).
On Jun 15 MFLWR had a follow-on meeting to the June 8 meeting to further discuss the Regional Target Industry Study (TIS) and next steps. Bob Kreuter directed that the regional marketing committee, under Steve Jenkins’ leadership, go ahead a finalized a marketing plan. He then proposed that John Petersen, Rolla, head a strategic planning committee to look at what the region needs to do to fix regional shortcomings and to capitalize on regional strengths. Appointed to that committee were Randy Becht, Becht Properties; Candice Connell, MRPC; Buz Harvey, Hogan Construction; Chris Heard, St. Robert; Bob Kreuter, Laclede Electric Co-op; Steve Tupper, UMR; and Debbie Wikowsky, Lebanon Area Chamber.
On Jun 17 the second board of directors meeting for the Leonard Wood Institute (LWI) was held. The board was expanded to include membership from Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) and the retired Executive West of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.
On Jun 24 the Missouri Technology Corporation met at the Tech Park. This State-level organization is the state’s representative regarding the Tech Park. Plans for the future of the Tech Park were discussed.
On Jun 27, representatives of the greater Radcliff, KY, community visited the Region to find lessons learned with respect to being a gaining community during Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Radcliff is the “gate town” for Fort Knox. They were very appreciative of the information we gave them on our experience in BRAC95.
On Jun 28, CTC had a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new offices in Building Two. We were able to brief their senior leadership on the region, the Tech Park and the LWI.
On Jul 1 we had our first strategy session looking forward to a 2006 Science and Technology (S&T) conference. We also met with Keith Strassner, Brewer Science, who is working to establish a Missouri Defense Business Council to act as a defense business chamber in the state. This may provide a great opportunity for us to market the region to the defense industry.
A number of the Region communities provided update reports. Steve Jenkins reported that Lebanon was very excited about the partnering between Lebanon and the University of Missouri Rolla to establish a UMR satellite campus at Lebanon. Steve said that this “will help the many UMR graduates in the Lebanon area continue their education and provide others in the area with access to a nationally-ranked engineering school.”
Norm Herren reported that St. Robert has seen over $25 million in new building permits this year, a record. $10 million of that is for residential development. He also said that the North Town Plaza Transportation District has approved a second access road running east/west just south of Wal-Mart. This will open a whole new area to commercial, industrial and residential development.
Bruce Harrill stated that four new residential subdivisions were opening in Waynesville as part of record growth for the city. Bruce said, “The continued high interest in regional development by investors and developers indicates that the early, no-growth BRAC announcement didn’t dampen enthusiasm for this region. Of course, since that time, the BRAC news has gotten considerably better with over 2,000 jobs now coming to Fort Leonard Wood.”
Greg Maxwell, Office of the Garrison Commander of Fort Leonard Wood, provided the FLW update. He said that all the major construction projects on post continue to be on-track. The instrument landing system should be completed this month and the certification process will begin at that time.
Steve Tupper reported on the regional efforts to support the consolidation of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Geological Technical Operations Center at Rolla. Five regional centers are being consolidated into one. Rolla is competing against Denver, CO and Restin, VA for the center. He said that a strong letter writing campaign was conducted in support of Rolla, and Rolla has a good chance of winning – low cost of doing business, low cost of living, proximity to UMR and Fort Leonard Wood, good high-tech labor source and a supportive community. Decision may be made in mid-August.
Bruce Harrill reported that the first meeting of the Joint Airport Committee will occur on Jul 14. St. Robert and Waynesville will begin joint management of the regional airport at Fort Leonard Wood. Bob Kreuter stated, “This will be a historic milestone for the region. These two cities together will do a great job in growing the kind of full service airport this region needs.”
During the report by the Regional Marketing Committee, Steve Jenkins highlighted the importance of the regional labor study to the marketing effort. He proposed that MFLWR immediately sign the contract for the regional labor study and start the study even though funding is still being collected from the sponsors. The board approved the proposal.
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, 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, August 9, 1:30PM at the Havener Center, University of Missouri Rolla. Call 573-329-8522 to confirm time and place.
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