MMRPC

KBIA Profiles Mid-Missouri Towns in 40/40 Project

Susan Galeota — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:35:53 +0000

February 2012 – Public radio station KBIA is celebrating its 40^th anniversary with the 40/40 Project, a project profiling 40 towns in the listening area. The towns chosen are all places where citizens have supported the station through their memberships. The first four towns profiled are in the Mid-Missouri Region: Boonville, Russellville, Jefferson City and Hartsburg. The profiles can be viewed at: 4040project.org Links to the profiles can also be found on the Mid-MO RPC website (Region Section) under the individual towns.

Certified Site Designation Awarded in Howard County

Debra Griffin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:24:00 +0000

January 27, 2012 – The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded a Certified Site designation to the Howard County Industrial Park. The Certified Site designation indicates that the site has been professionally reviewed for issues such as access, availability of utilities, environmental concerns, and development costs. Site certification “reduces the risk associated with development…by providing up front and consistent information” according to the DED website.

The site has also received a Premium Economic Development Site designation from Touchstone Energy Cooperative. This designation, the second in the state of Missouri, indicates that the necessary infrastructure is in place and has been verified.

JoAnn Sumner of the Howard County Economic Development Council spearheaded the drive for Certified Site recognition. The Howard County Industrial Park is located on State Route DD across from Missouri Pacific Lumber.

Fayette Bridges Completed on Route 240

Debra Griffin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:30:25 +0000

January 2012 – Representatives from the City of Fayette and Howard County along with staff from the Missouri Department of Transportation celebrated the completion of two bridges on Route 240 just outside of Fayette.
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The bridges were originally built in 1932 and were in need of replacement. Both bridges were replaced between June and November 2011. According to the MoDOT news release, MoDOT Assistant District Engineer Travis Koestner stated, “We are very pleased to be able to replace two bridges along this major route in Howard County,” and “We appreciate the support received from the community while work was underway.”

RPC Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) members Bill Lay and Howard McMillan, who advocated for the replacement, were present at the ribbon cutting. To read an article from the Boonville Daily News, click here.

Regional Sidewalk Assessment Underway

Debra Griffin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:46:58 +0000

January 2012 – The Mid-MO RPC has sent out surveys to 37 communities as part of a regional assessment to look at current conditions and future needs of sidewalks. The assessment will consist of a paper questionnaire, photos, and a map of current sidewalks in each community. Howard County and Cole County have been targeted as the first areas to be fully assessed in the spring of 2012, while the other counties are projected to be completed by summer of 2013. The Sidewalk Assessment will be included in the next update of Regional Transportation Plan and will be a useful tool in helping communities with planning activities. If you would like more information on this project, please contact Katrina Thomas.

RPC Office Closed

Debra Griffin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:30:28 +0000

January 16, 2012 – The Mid-MO RPC office will be closed for Marin Luther King Jr. Day.

Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee (RHSOC)

Debra Griffin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:00:33 +0000

January 17, 2012 – 1:30 pm, Cole County Fire Station #4, 5206 Monticello Rd., Jefferson City (map).

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

Debra Griffin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:20:03 +0000

January 25, 2012 - 4:30 pm, Copper Kettle Restaurant, 508 E Liberty Lane in Ashland. Dinner at 6 pm. RPC meeting follows at 6:30 pm.

TAC/RPC Meetings

Debra Griffin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:32:13 +0000

January 25, 2012 – Copper Kettle Restaurant, 508 E Liberty Lane in Ashland (map). Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC agenda) at 4:30 pm. Dinner at 6 pm. Regional Planning Commission (RPC agenda) meeting follows at 6:30 pm.

EDAC Meets in Callaway County at OCCI, Inc.

Debra Griffin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:35:06 +0000

December 2011 – The Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) held its bi-monthly meeting on December 13, 2011, in Callaway County at OCCI Incorporated.

Ted Kettlewell, Vice President of OCCI, gave an overview of the company, discussed the recent $300,000 CDBG award for industrial infrastructure and hiring of 30 new employees, and gave a tour of the facilities.

Other presentations at the meeting centered on local projects in Callaway County and its communities, job creation, updating the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and the microenterprise loan program.

After the meeting, everyone was invited to take a tour of the National Churchill Museum in Fulton. The museum continues to impact the local economy by attracting visitors from all over the world who travel to mid-Missouri.

EDAC meets bi-monthly to provide an opportunity for discussion of ideas and dissemination of information on economic and community development in the region. Holding these meetings locally in the counties will, hopefully, help spur new ideas to market mid-Missouri – working together to develop the region. To view meeting highlights click here.

Cole County/Jefferson City Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Receives Final Approval

Susan Galeota — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:06:04 +0000

December 2011 – The update of the Cole County/Jefferson City Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan has received final approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The plan is now “current and approved” until November 9, 2016.

The following jurisdictions in Cole County participated in the planning process and adopted the plan: Cole County, Jefferson City, Lohman, Russellville, St. Martins, St. Thomas, Taos, Wardsville, Cole County R-V School District, Jefferson City Public School District, and Lincoln University. Their participation confers eligibility to apply for FEMA mitigation grant funds to lessen the impact of natural hazards in their communities/districts.

In other hazard mitigation news, the final updates of the Callaway, Cooper, Howard and Moniteau County plans have been submitted to SEMA and FEMA for approval.