MRPC News Release
February 27 , 2006
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
HULSE RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF GVEZ
OWENSVILLE—Jim Hulse of Linn was re-elected to a one-year term as president of the Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone during the group’s regular meeting Jan. 19 at the Owensville City Hall. This will be Hulse’s fifth term as president. Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Lairmore was also re-elected vice president. Byron Baker of Osage County was elected secretary while Mark Hayes of Maries County was re-elected treasurer.
Hulse had hoped to pass the gavel to Jim Decker of Gasconade County, however, other commitments prevented Decker from accepting the job at this time. At the board’s request, Hulse agreed to another term.
In other business, the board:
• Welcomed new board member, Jay Gourley of Hermann, and heard a report on community and economic development activities in the Hermann area.
• Heard an update on efforts to move Highway 50 improvements forward. Chairman Hulse is working to set up a meeting with Rodney Gray of Hendren and Andrae of Jefferson City and a consultant who may be able to offer some additional strategies. Board members will be notified.
•Transferred funds to the Maries County Bank to take advantage of a lucrative, short-term interest rate;
• Learned that Chamois and Osage County are developing an Enhanced Enterprise Zone application, and at an early request by GVEZ, MRPC staff are assisting with the application.
• Asked that Shaun Sappenfield of the Missouri Department of Economic Development be invited to the March meeting to discuss DED programs.
• Set its 2006 meeting calendar, with meetings set for: 1 p.m on March 23 in Hermann, 1 p.m. May 25 in Belle, 1 p.m. July 27 in Vienna, 1 p.m. Sept. 28 in Chamois and 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Osage County Community Center.
The Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone works to promote, coordinate and facilitate community and economic development in Gasconade, Maries and Osage counties. A portion of the three-county area is a state designated enterprise zone that offers certain property tax abatements to qualifying companies locating or expanding in the zone. Bonnie Prigge of Meramec Regional Planning Commission serves as zone administrator. For more information, persons may contact Prigge at MRPC, at 573-265-2993.