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COU looking at leisure destination markets like Las Vegas and Orlando

November 21, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe speaks at the October 19, 2022 ribbon-cutting ceremony for COU’s $23-million new terminal (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

A key economic development official in Columbia has had conversations with five airlines about adding leisure market destinations to Columbia Regional Airport (COU).

Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) president Stacey Button says she met with the five airlines three weeks ago. She tells 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Round Table” they’re looking at ultra low-fare carriers.

“Because I think the addition of a leisure destination makes a lot of sense. American has great routes for us with Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth, and so getting some additional leisure markets makes sense,” Button says.

American currently offers daily non-stop service to both the Chicago O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth international airports.

Button says the conversations with the five low-fare airlines were great, adding that she’ll meet with them again in January. She says they’re looking at non-stop flights from COU.

“The same markets continue to bubble up by the airlines in terms of interest. You mentioned Orlando, that’s certainly one. Las Vegas, Phoenix is a very strong market for us as well. Charlotte of course,” says Button.

Columbia Regional Airport’s $23-million new terminal opened at the end of October. It’s 52,000 square feet, compared to the 16,000 square foot former terminal that was built in 1968.

Major Centralia manufacturer getting extra orders after Hurricane Ian

October 18, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Hurricane Ian reportedly caused more than $67-billion in damages in Florida, much of it in hard-hit Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. (October 4, 2022 photo courtesy of Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One)

Hurricane Ian’s devastating impact on Florida has kept Boone County’s largest manufacturer busy.

Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) executive vice president Bernie Andrews tells 939 the Eagle that REDI staff and board members toured the Hubbell Power Systems facility in Centralia in late September.

“The day we were there was the day after the hurricane in Florida. So they told us they were getting a lot of orders for utility product shipped down there to repair the damage that was done in Florida. So we’re glad that they’re a large employer here in Boone County,” Andrews says.

Mr. Andrews briefed dozens of Columbia-area business leaders at the recent REDI board meeting. Hubbell makes numerous products, including pole line hardware.

“It’s the largest manufacturer in Boone County. It employs about 700 or so. Doing great things, making products for the utility industry”

Centralia’s massive 1.4 million square feet Hubbell campus includes its forging and stamping plants, and its centralized distribution center. The plants were acquired as part of the 1994 A-B Chance acquisition.

A 55-member team from Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One assisted with search and rescue operations in both the Orlando and Fort Myers areas, after the hurricane.

Missouri Task Force One moving from Orlando to hurricane-battered Fort Myers

October 3, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

A 55-member team from Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One prepares to leave Columbia for Florida on September 30, 2022 (photo courtesy of the Boone County Fire Protection District’s Facebook page)

CNN is reporting that Hurricane Ian may have caused as much as $47-billion in insured losses in Florida. That could make it the most expensive storm in Florida history.

Meantime, a 55-member team from Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One (MO-TF1) arrived early Sunday morning in the Orlando area to assist with search and rescue operations. They have equipment for significant swift water rescue capabilities and have two live find and two human remains detection canines.

Boone County Fire Protection District assistant chief Gale Blomenkamp says the team rested in Orlando after their 24-hour plus road trip. They’re currently heading to Fort Myers this (Monday) morning for search and rescues and will establish their base of operations in Fort Myers, which is about 200 miles from Orlando.

Blomenkamp tells 939 the Eagle that Task Force One’s four-person Disaster Situational Assessment and Reconnaissance (DSAR) team has done mapping missions on Boca Grande, a small residential community on Gasparilla island in southwest Florida.

CNN is reporting at least 76 people have been killed in Florida, along with four additional victims in North Carolina.

COU has been taking list of popular destinations to airlines

August 16, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s airport manager says reliability and on-time departures and arrivals are great at Columbia Regional Airport (COU). COU’s Mike Parks spoke on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Round Table.” “Those who have had a positive experience are a lot more than those who have had any type of negative experience in the last several years. The …