The executive director of a partnership that promotes the Fort Leonard Wood region encouraged the Houston City Council on Monday to become an active voice in the organization.
Kent Thomas, the executive director of the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership, highlighted the group’s mission and progress on the sprawling military installation in nearby Pulaski County.
Thomas, the chancellor of Missouri State University-West Plains from 2001-2007, said the not-for-profit organization advocates for the region, which includes Pulaski, Laclede, Texas and Phelps counties, and for Fort Leonard Wood. It builds public awareness about the FLW’s mission to decision makers amid some periods that the military was downscaling.
Economic development figures show the enormous impact the 97.6 square mile-installation has on the region. With a $1.9 billion budget, the installation is a driver for not only south-central Missouri, but the state.
The partnership is scoring some victories, Thomas, who began his job about two years ago, reported:
•Full-time permanent party personnel numbers are increasing.
•A $300 million new hospital is slated for construction, as is a blood donor center. It is estimated about 700 construction jobs will be created.
•Air transportation is expected to improve. Currently, flights are available four times daily to St. Louis. Airfield improvements are hoped to attract a regional carrier that would fly to hubs, such as Chicago or Dallas.
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Thomas called on the council to notify it of positive developments occurring in the community, look for economic opportunities that would allow business owners to sell to the government and asked that the city consider supporting the partnership monetarily. He suggested an annual $5,000 contribution with a three-year commitment. The memberships are important in selling the strong support FLW receives in the region, he said.
Thomas encouraged the city to participate in quarterly meeting and attend an Aug. 23 annual meeting.
To learn more about Sustainable Ozarks Partnership, click at sustainableozarks.org