Columbia Chamber of Commerce president Matt McCormick is pleased with the Chamber’s recent leadership visit to Madison, Wisconsin. Madison, which has about 270,000 residents, is home to both a state capital and the University of Wisconsin. Mr. McCormick joined host Fred Parry in-studio for an hour on Saturday morning’s 939 the Eagle “CEO Roundtable” program. He tells Mr. Parry that more than 70 Columbia-area business leaders and elected officials made the trip to Madison. Homelessness was a main topic during the trip. Mr. McCormick also highlighted the Columbia chamber’s top legislative priorities on the “CEO Roundtable”, both this year’s and 2024 priorities. Transportation, especially I-70, continues to be a top priority:
(LISTEN): Columbia’s popular fall parade of homes is Saturday and Sunday
One of the HBA of Columbia’s most popular events of the year is this weekend.
The “Parade of Homes” is Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 pm. Orie Hemme of Hemme Construction is president of the Columbia Home Builders Association. Mr. Hemme tells 939 the Eagle’s Fred Parry that Hemme Construction will have four of the approximately 15 homes in the parade.
“We have a really nice contemporary looking home, very modern contemporary home in our new neighborhood Timber Brook next weekend. It’s right across the street from Copper Stone off Scott Boulevard. It’s a little neighborhood, 33 lots and we have about nine homes in there,” Hemme says.
The HBA of Columbia describes the parade of homes as a significant community-driven event designed to highlight the area’s distinguished builders and developers. Hemme Construction, which began in 2000, has built homes in neighborhoods such as Vanderveen, Thornbrook, the Cascades and Nursery Heights. They’ve also built Silvercrest Acres near Highway 179 in Cooper County.
The HBA of Columbia is hoping for good weather for this weekend’s popular parade of homes. Mr. Hemme tells listeners that you’ll see a wide range of houses.
“There’s probably eight different builders who have make up the 15 homes. So you’ll see a wide range of craftsmanship, different styles of architecture and stuff like that,” says Hemme.
(LISTEN): Columbia Home Builders Association president Orie Hemme of Hemme Construction appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”
Local homebuilder Orie Hemme of Hemme Construction serves as president of Columbia’s Home Builders Association. Mr. Hemme is a sixth-generation homebuilder. Hemme Construction has built homes in numerous Columbia neighborhoods, including Quail Creek, Vanderveen, Thornbrook and Creek’s Edge. Mr. Hemme joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on Saturday morning’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Mr. Parry and Mr. Hemme say the average home value in the past year in Columbia was $350,000. They also previewed the upcoming HBA of Columbia Parade of Homes, which is October 14-15 from 1-5 pm. The HBA of Columbia website describes the Parade of Homes as a “significant community-driven event designed to highlight our area’s distinguished builders and developers, presenting their newest achievements in cutting-edge communities.” Mr. Hemme tells listeners that Hemme Construction will have four of the approximately 15 homes in next weekend’s parade:
(LISTEN): Columbia Regional Airport manager Michael Parks appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”
Columbia Regional Airport (COU) manager Michael Parks says he continues to hear praise from residents about COU’s $23-million new terminal. The one-year anniversary of the new terminal is next month. Mr. Parks joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on the “CEO Roundtable” program. Mr. Parks tells listeners that he remains optimistic about adding daily flights to Charlotte. He also confirms the city is currently negotiating a contract with a food service provider at COU, and expects that to go to the city council in the next 30 days:
(LISTEN): Design of proposed new south Columbia elementary school to be shown today
You’ll have a chance this afternoon to see a design of the new $25-million elementary school that will be built in south Columbia, next to John Warner middle school.
Columbia Public Schools (CPS) patrons approved an $80-million bond issue at the ballot box in 2022, which contains $25-million for the new elementary. CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood is encouraging you to show up today.
“On September 5, September 5 from 3 to 6 (pm) at John Warner middle school, there will be a showing of the proposed elementary school design. And we encourage all community, parents, teachers, staff members whomever to come by and take a look. And maybe if there are some suggestions or questions, we’d love to entertain that,” Dr. Yearwood says.
Superintendent Yearwood spoke to 939 the Eagle’s Fred Parry. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that the new elementary is slated for opening in 2024. She notes it’s currently in the design phase and that the project still needs to be bid.
Meantime, Dr. Yearwood says his aim is for CPS to be the best school district in Missouri. He says the district’s August back-to-school convocation event at Mizzou Arena was well-received by CPS staff.
“When school started this first week, this was the first time that there was a level of calm, a level of confidence and just a great way to begin school. And I think that’s because of the follow-through based upon what was heard at the convocation,” says Dr. Yearwood.
This year’s convocation theme was inspiring greatness. CPS’ first-day enrollment was 19,157, an increase of more than 350 from last year. CPS is currently Missouri’s fifth-largest school district, with enrollment skyrocketing by more than 2,000 in the past 12 years.