COUNTY TO BEGIN DECIDING COURSE OF ECONOMIC EFFORTS

BLOOMFIELD -- Economic Developer Gary Capps is hoping to begin laying the groundwork for a long-range blueprint for growth in Stoddard County.

The first of four "visioning" sessions is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dexter's First Baptist Church. The group of community members from throughout the county are being recruited by the directors of the Stoddard County Industrial Development Authority.

Capps, as the county's inaugural economic development coordinator, works for the industrial development authority, which, in turn, reports to the Stoddard County Commission. Earlier this week he told the County Commission that efforts to recruit participants have been more successful in some communities than in others.

Formerly a regional administrator with the federal Rural Development agency, Capps said it's important to get a wide range of input from county residents regarding the type of economic growth desired in this county before embarking on a large development effort.

The "visioning" sessions -- one each Tuesday night in June -- is aimed at providing Capps and other local officials with a framework for future efforts to attract jobs to Stoddard County.

In other action, Presiding Commissioner Jerry Elder said the county has signed a contract to purchase the Parks Building in Bloomfield, a brick structure on South Prairie Street. Being able to acquire this property will allow the county to consolidate its properties along South Prairie, which includes the building currently housing the Division 2 courtroom and the site of a proposed Juvenile Services Center.

Elder said the commission has no specific plans for the use of the property.