FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 22, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson at (573)751-0290
Blunt Amends the Meramec Regional Planning Commission
JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt signed executive order 05-21 today amending the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) to include Pulaski County as a member.
MRPC unanimously approved Pulaski County’s request to join the commission on June 9. MRPC Chairman Gary Brown was asked to submit a signed resolution to Blunt asking that the boundaries of MRPC and the Lake Ozark Council of Local Governments be changed to include Pulaski County as a member of MRPC.
Pulaski County officials agreed to a request by the commission to allow MRPC’s staff at least a year to study and learn about the county and its local governments before they would be expected to be completely responsive to the county’s needs. The commission agreed to allow Pulaski County and its cities to enter into contracts for any services that might be required before Blunt made his decision.
The goal of MRPC is to enhance the quality of life for citizens living in the Meramec region. MRPC was established to allow municipalities and counties in the area to work together to solve problems and to plan for future development projects. The federal Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 made the Meramec region eligible for federal assistance. The law was created to help stimulate the area’s economy by providing federal funds to improve local economies.
MRPC will now include the counties of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Washington and Pulaski.