BUSINESS MEMO: LARGE ATTENDANCE

More than 90 state and community officials and leaders attended the seventh annual Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission's Elected Officials Conference, held at New Madrid recently.

Leon Steinbrueck, executive director of the Bootheel Commission, said planning was already under way for the 1998 Elected Officials Conference.

A number of speakers were present for the conference. Mark Preyer, commissioner of the Missouri Department of Transportation, was keynote speaker. Others in attendance were state Sen. Jerry Howard, state Reps. Joe Heckemeyer, Larry Thomason and Marilyn Williams; Tom Schulte from U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond/John Ashcroft's office; Lloyd Smith from U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office; Gary Gaines of DNR, Scott Meyer, MODOT, Tony Wening, MORNET, Judy Moss, TCRC, and a number of other staff people from various state and federal agencies.

State officials will discuss legislative issues pertaining to the Bootheel region. Community officials will provide an update on projects and issues concerning cities and counties in the Bootheel.