BRPC gets new chief

MALDEN -- A veteran public planner has been chosen as the new head of the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission (BRPC).

Ty Thompson, a native of Cape Girardeau, was recently approved by the BRPC's membership meeting at the agency's offices in Malden. Thompson, 63, comes to the local agency from the Southwestern Illinois and Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Thompson succeeds Leon Steinbrueck of Dexter, who is stepping down as executive director after almost 11 years at the agency's helm. Thompson is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. The BRPC receently raised the dues it charges to cities and counties, a move that will generate an estimated extra $20,000 a year. Under the new formula, cities will be charged 30 cents per resident

There are 63 municipalities within the six Bootheel counties covered by the BRPC; 43 of the cities are members of the planning agency.