An annual tradition for 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry is to interview former Landmark Bank chief executive officer Jeff MacLellan on the final show of the calendar year for the “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. MacLellan has spent 35 years studying economic trends in Columbia and Boone County. He joined Fred in-studio Saturday morning for the hour on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Mr. MacLellan tells listeners that when he started in the banking industry in 1973, there were about 18,000 banks nationwide. He says that number is about 4,000 today. He also addressed the issue of Columbia’s rising home costs, saying the median home sold in Columbia in 2023 was about $343,000. Mr. MacLellan also addressed the traditional three pillars in Columbia’s economy: education, health care and insurance. He notes there are about 55,000 to 60,000 students in Columbia, counting the 18,000 students at Columbia Public Schools (CPS). The University of Missouri and MU Health Care continue to be, by far, the two largest employers in Columbia/Boone County. They have 8,709 and 5,092 employees, according to the latest numbers from Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI). While Shelter Insurance continues to be the seventh-largest employer in Columbia/Boone County with 1,375 employees, Mr. MacLellan tells listeners that finance is emerging as the third-largest pillar now:
(LISTEN): Boone County Nature School will serve all six school districts in county
Boone County has contributed about $400,000 to the Boone County Nature School, which is being built in the Three Creeks Conservation area between Columbia and Ashland.
The nature school is a partnership between Columbia Public Schools (CPS), the Missouri Department of Conservation and all six Boone County school districts. Boone County commissioner Janet Thompson tells “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” she’s impressed.
“It gives an opportunity for every kid in Boone County, every school district in Boone County, while it’s sort of under the supervision in part of Columbia Public Schools (CPS), it is available to every single school-age child in Boone County to participate in programs out there,” Thompson says.
The 111-acre Boone County Nature School is expected to open in June 2024. It’s located just west of Highway 63 near Tom Bass road.
Boone County has received $35-million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, and received more than 100 applications totaling $84-million for the first-round of grants alone. Boone County northern district commissioner Janet Thompson tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that 27 applications were funded in the first round, telling listeners that commissioners made tough decisions.
“The question becomes are they sustainable, are they transformative? Because that’s part of the legislation is a project sustainable, is it transformative? Is it going to make that systemic difference in how our community looks and acts,” says Thompson.
Commissioner Thompson says Boone County hopes to get the second round of ARPA grants going in 2024, and she’s encouraging applicants who didn’t receive funding the first time to resubmit.
You can listen to the full “Wake Up” interview with Janet Thompson here.
(LISTEN): Kendrick predicts Boone County Nature School will be a gamechanger
Boone County’s presiding commissioner is ecstatic about the Boone County Nature School, which is being built in the Three Creeks Conservation Area just south of Columbia. Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick attended the recent dedication of the nature school’s Council House.
“And the coordination, cooperation with all (six) of the Boone County school districts as well is going to really be a gamechanger in the long term in Boone County,” Mr. Kendrick says.
The Boone County Nature School is a partnership between Columbia Public Schools (CPS), the Missouri Department of Conservation and the community, which includes all six Boone County school districts. CPS has committed $2-million for the nature school’s construction, while the Missouri Department of Conservation has committed $1-million. Commissioner Kendrick notes Boone County has contributed about $400,000, using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. ARPA was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Mr. Kendrick has been working on the Boone County Nature School issue since he was first elected to the Missouri House in 2014. He helped lead a bipartisan effort in Jefferson City to restore funding for the 111-acre project, which is in Three Creeks. Commissioner Kendrick tells 939 the Eagle that the nature school will provide an excellent educational experience to students.
“And just the experience to get out and have the educational piece kind of come to light in a natural setting enjoying nature, one of the best conservation areas in the state of Missouri (Three Creeks), it really will help connect kids with nature and will make sure that they understand the importance of our natural resources for a lifetime to come,” says Commissioner Kendrick.
He attended the recent dedication on the grounds, when the Columbia Audubon Society made a $30,000 donation for the nature school’s Council House portion. The Boone County Nature School is scheduled to be completed in June 2024.
CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood predicts the new nature school will be a model for the state and the nation.
(LISTEN): Columbia Audubon Society makes donation to Council house at Nature Center
The Boone County Nature School just south of Columbia now has a new Council House, thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Columbia Audubon Society.
The Boone County Nature School is a partnership between Columbia Public Schools (CPS), the Missouri Department of Conservation and the community, which includes all six Boone County school districts. CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood tells 939 the Eagle that the nature school and the Council House will improve thousands of lives.
“When you get one scholar to appreciate the world they live in, to not litter, to conserve water, to understand how everything is dependent on how we treat our natural resources, then that learning I think just goes on. They too will teach their children and they too will teach their children and their children’s children,” Dr. Yearwood says.
He praises the generosity of the Columbia Audubon Society, saying the project’s house portion would not have happened without their donation. Society members spoke at Wednesday’s dedication. Audubon Society member Bill Mees looked around the facility, as he spoke to 939 the Eagle about what he envisions inside the Council House.
“I see kids that are going to learn about nature. And the concern is that if people don’t understand nature and don’t learn to love it, then they’re not going to be willing to protect it in the future,” Mr. Mees says.
The 111-acre Boone County Nature School is just west of Highway 63 near Tom Bass road. It’s set to open in June 2024. CPS has committed $2-million for the nature school’s construction, while the Missouri Department of Conservation has committed $1-million. Boone County has contributed about $400,000, according to Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick.
CPS Superintendent Dr. Yearwood says the Boone County Nature school will be a model for the state and the nation.
“And we are hoping that we are able to establish the beginning of something where scholars in schools throughout our nation are exposed to nature and the preservation, the conservation of our natural habitat so that way we can continue to be thrive and be healthy human beings,” Dr. Yearwood says.
While its lakes and parking lots still need to be completed and there’s lots of mud, the area was packed for Wednesday’s dedication. Conservation advocates, CPS students and staff and residents were on-hand for the dedication of the Council House portion of the project.
Columbia’s city council approves SRO agreement; council to vote on budget in mid-September
Columbia’s city council has given the green light to a school resource officer (SRO) agreement with Columbia Public Schools (CPS).
The city council voted to approve the agreement on Tuesday night. Columbia’s school board unanimously approved the SRO agreement in August. Under the 11-page agreement, two CPD officers are being assigned to Battle high school, with one each assigned to Hickman and Rock Bridge. Under the agreement, CPS will compensate the city of Columbia 75 percent of the salary and benefits for the four officers, under the agreement.
The cost is $318,000.
The council is expected to vote on city manager De’Carlon Seewood’s proposed $533-million dollar budget later this month. The council held its third and final public hearing on Mr. Seewood’s budget last night at city hall. Mr. Seewood is calling for a $10-million pay raise for the city’s 1,500 employees. The proposed budget also increases the Columbia Water Utility’s budget by $1.1 million. Mr. Seewood’s budget is a $27-million increase from the current $506-million amount.
The city council also first-read a bill last night that would suspend GoCOMO bus transportation fares for the fourth straight year.
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