Columbia

HONOLULU, January 24, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC), a non-profit organization committed to the advancement of digital infrastructure, telecommunications and ICT, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Columbia Business School Executive Education (CBSEE) to develop the Top Talent Leadership Development Program. This exclusive program, powered by and in collaboration with CBSEE, aims to empower executives with the skills and insights needed to confidently tackle the challenges of the evolving business landscape.

“We are excited about the collaboration with PTC to develop this executive education program. Our mutual objective is to deliver a transformative learning experience, equipping executives with essential skills to not only navigate but excel in the dynamic and competitive business landscape,” said Malia Mason, Courtney C. Brown Professor of Business and faculty director at Columbia Business School Executive Education.

The program, set to kick off at PTC’25, will span three days and is limited to 30 executive participants. This exclusivity ensures an intimate and interactive learning environment, allowing executives to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences and network with peers who share a commitment to driving organizational success and building their businesses into the future.

“The strategic partnership with Columbia Business School Executive Education underscores PTC’s commitment to fostering leadership in the digital realm. This executive education program represents a unique collaboration that will empower executives to tackle challenges head-on and drive innovation,” commented Bill Barney, President and Chair, PTC.

Brian Moon, CEO of PTC, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This collaboration with Columbia Business School Executive Education marks a significant milestone for PTC. We are dedicated to offering executives a program that goes beyond traditional education, providing practical insights and strategies to steer the complexities of the digital era.”

Story continues

Key program highlights include sessions on cultivating high-performing teams, strategic negotiation, adept navigation of multiple fronts, effective change leadership, breakthrough strategies, network building and leverage, and managing the workforce of the future. The program will be customized to leverage the expertise of Columbia Business School’s distinguished faculty, industry practitioners, and coaches, emphasizing the applicability and real-world implementation of cutting-edge research.

Registration for the Top Talent Leadership Development Program is set to open in Q2 2024, providing executives with the opportunity to secure their spot in this exclusive program.

About Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC)

Founded in 1978, PTC is a non-profit membership organization committed to the advancement of digital infrastructure, telecommunications, and ICT globally, with a focus on the Pacific Rim. PTC serves as a central hub within the digital infrastructure community, nurturing innovation, fostering business growth, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders through a diverse range of events and initiatives. Foremost among these is the PTC Annual Conference, a prestigious gathering held in Honolulu, Hawaii, in January, where C-level executives, technologists, thought leaders, investors, researchers, and academicians convene to share knowledge, cultivate valuable relationships, and catalyze new business. Visit us at www.ptc.org.

About Columbia Business School Executive Education

Columbia Business School Executive Education (CBSEE) is at the forefront of business education, pioneering innovative curricula and thought leadership. With a commitment to academic excellence and real-world impact, CBSEE provides a transformative learning experience for future business leaders. Visit us at https://execed.business.columbia.edu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240124694659/en/

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
media@ptc.org

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA − Columbia Regional Airport’s new terminal has been open for almost a full year, and their number of arrival and departures have increased, according to its passenger load data. 

However, the airport is facing pilot shortages that affects the number of airlines it uses. COU is also working on adding food service to better accommodate travelers. 

The new terminal opened on Oct. 26, 2022. The airport saw a 1,552 total monthly passenger increase in September 2023 compared to the same time last year. 

The $23-million terminal is 52,000 square-feet, compared to the previous 16,000 square-feet terminal.

Airport Manager Mike Parks said he’s heard great feedback for both first-time and constant flyers.

“It’s the front door to the community, right. So it’s much more comfortable for people flying in and flying out,” Parks said.

Upcoming restaurant

The terminal still does not have a restaurant, but Parks said it’s in the works.

“We’re going through the procurement process now,” he said. “We went out to bid for a concessionaire to provide food service on the secure side of the terminal and also possibly the public side of the terminal.”

Parks said the process for the request for proposal (RFP) started around April of this year. Currently, the airport is in negotiations and is close to having a draft ready for City Council to consider. Parks expects to be able to take this to council members in November.

However, the lack of food in the airport has caused an issue for some travelers.

Aida Guhlincozzi didn’t check into her 6 a.m. flight to Chicago in time on Wednesday and couldn’t board her flight. Guhlincozzi was able to rebook to the temporary 11:45 a.m. flight to Chicago, but she said that she was still stranded.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

“I think the staff, the security and everyone is great. My only issue is that there is no food because I’ve been here since 6 a.m. and I will be here until 11:45 a.m.,” she said.

She said she won’t be able to eat until she either got to Chicago or had a snack on the plane.

“I’m not going to ask my husband to come 20 minutes, he’s at work. He’s not going to come drive 20 minutes from Jefferson City,” she said.

Pilot shortages affecting COU

A pilot shortage is affecting regional airports across the nation, including COU, Parks said. He said this has stunted the airport’s ability to add additional flights to and from the airport.

“There’s definitely a demand in mid-Missouri for an increased flight numbers out of Columbia,” Parks said. “American [Airlines] is well aware of that and that’s something that we continue [have] top of mind with them to understand the demand is here. As soon as the pilot shortage is not as impactful here, we’ll look at additional flights.”

Pilots have a mandatory retirement age of 65. According to the Regional Airline Association, existing pilots are rapidly aging out. Nearly 50% of today’s pilots must retire in 15 years. Over 13% must retire in 5 years.

This year American Airlines, COU’s only airline, will lose 828 pilots to retirement. 

Passenger Julie Sexten said additional flights would help her family.

“The flight to Charlotte would be amazing for me,” Sexten said. “I have a daughter who goes to school close to Charlotte, so to be able to fly directly to see her and for her to get home would be awesome.”

Sexten says she flies out of COU eight to 10 times a year but would travel more if additional flights were offered.

“I think I would travel a lot more if we had more flights out of here, for sure, for the convenience,” she said.

Originally Appeared Here

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Lawmakers gaveled in for the 2024 legislative session Wednesday afternoon with hopes to continue working on many of the priorities that didn’t make it to the finish line last year.

More than 1,400 bills had already been filed by Wednesday. Those bills have until May 17 to make it across the finish line. Budget bills must be passed even earlier.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers from Columbia identified education as an early priority. Of course, the different parties have different ideas on what is best for Missouri education.

Like many Missouri Republicans, Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) said school choice is one of his top priorities. School choice is a policy that would allow families to use public funding to either switch public schools or send their children to a private school. Advocates for school choice had some success recently, but only in certain regions of the state.

“Education reform has kind of just been the thing that I’ve really been the most passionate about for the last number of years,” said Rowden, who is part of the Senate Republican leadership. He touted moves toward allowing school choice — public funding for private school tuition.

Some Missouri Democrats support school choice. However, the party is split on the issue. Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) said he wants to ensure public schools are properly funded and fight against what he called the bullying of Columbia Public Schools.

“There’s always a war on public schools,” Smith said. “And so one of the things I want to do is make sure that we protect them. We don’t underfund them. We don’t defund them. You know, right now, nationally, Missouri’s at the bottom of the list as far as the funding of public schools.”

Rowden is entering his last year in the Missouri Senate. One thing he’s proud to get done is funding the expansion of Interstate 70 and the improvement of the I-70-Highway 63 connector.

“If I’m being honest, I never thought I’d be able to do it,” Rowden said.

Some factors are working against the legislature this year. A smaller budget for fiscal 2025, at only $35 billion compared to last year’s record-breaking $50 billion, will mean fewer lawmakers’ priorities can be included.

This year is also an election year, and several outspoken members of the Missouri legislature are running for higher positions such as governor. Many lawmakers and even the governor expressed some expectations that political grandstanding may occur at the expense of productivity.

“As past history goes, normally in a political year, not a whole lot of stuff happens. You know, I think the main goal this year is probably try to get the budget done,” said Gov. Mike Parson.

The Senate Republicans are once again divided. The Freedom Caucus returned, one year after it disbanded. Wednesday, some members of the Freedom Caucus held the Senate floor, already filibustering.

“Everyone says it’s going to be chaos, right?” Smith said. “And so the trick is to be able to work through that and hopefully get something done that’s good for the people.”

Originally Appeared Here

Choice is increasing in Columbia for community members looking for their morning buzz, mid-afternoon pick-me-up or even a late night cuppa joe.

7 Brew, the Arkansas-based drive-thru coffee stand, officially opens 5:30 a.m. Monday at 200 E. Nifong Blvd, where Lutz’s Barbecue once was. It is the first location in Columbia. A second location on Providence Road could come by the end of the year or in early 2025. Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the Providence Road proposal this week.

This is the 17th location in Missouri and 22nd location owned by franchisee Brandon Sebald, who also has locations elsewhere in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. 7 Brew locations are in more than half of U.S. states.

“We are excited to make our grand entrance into Columbia and show Mizzou fans, college students and members of the Columbia community what we’re passionate about with every drink served.” Sebald said. “Not only do we look forward to fueling this community, we are eager to get involved and give back while pouring into our Brew Crew.”

Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1mUsMPMLrI/

To get ready for the grand opening, 7 Brew is holding soft opening events starting Friday, giving Columbia residents a chance to “taste the revolution.”

One small drink of choice will be available free to customers 7-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Once officially open, store hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The only other Columbia coffee shops that remain open as late are the downtown Lakota Coffee and south location of The Grind on John Garry Drive.

The first customer in Lane 1 of the drive-thru on opening day will win one free 7 Brew drink of choice per week for a year. A ribbon-cutting is planned for 8 a.m. Monday, along with a check presentation for Children’s Miracle Network.

Customers also will get a chance to receive a T-shirt with purchase of a large drink on the Jan. 13 “Swag Day” during normal business hours.

What is 7 Brew Coffee?

According to the 7 Brew Coffee website, it all started in February 2017 with a store in Rogers, Arkansas. It also states that 7 Brew Coffee is a “revolution that treats people like people — that makes them feel warmed, loved, and important, all before they take a sip of the best drink in town.”

The menu features its seven original coffee drinks, along with other coffee shop classics, teas, a blended energy drink, smoothies, shakes and sparkling water infusions. The seven original drinks can come hot, iced or as a blended chiller. Coffee shop classics and teas can come hot or iced. There are various syrups for all beverages and milk alternatives of oat, almond or coconut for drink customization. Other customizations, including extra espresso or sweetness levels are possible as well. All told, there are upward of 20,000 drink combinations, 7 Brew said in a news release.

Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzkEwDDNqnH/

Why is it called 7 Brew Coffee?

The name 7 Brew Coffee is derived from the Bible. Biblically, the number 7 indicates completion or perfection, according to an Arkansas Democrat Gazette story. It also refers to its seven original drinks.

Every 7 Brew Coffee store is a double drive-thru. The coffee served by 7 Brew Coffee comes from a blend of beans sourced from Ethiopia, Columbia and Brazil, said 7 Brew president and co-owner Ron Crume in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reporting.

More:From Hawaiian grills to late-night fare, these Columbia restaurants opened in 2023

Ann Albers of Florida Today, a USA Today Network newspaper, contributed to this report. The Columbia Daily Tribune is part of the USA Today Network.

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

Originally Appeared Here

For years, health care in rural Missouri has been spotty and insufficient. University of Missouri’s School of Medicine is hoping to change that, one doctor at a time.

In October, the School of Medicine received a $16 million federal award to expand programs that encourage students from rural backgrounds to pursue medical school. One component to receive funding is the Bryant Scholars Pre-Admissions Program.

kAmqCJ2?E $49@=2CD 4@>6 7C@> CFC2= 4@>>F?:E:6D 2?5 2C6 25>:EE65 E@ >65:42= D49@@= 2D D64@?5J62C F?56C8C25F2E6D] %9C@F89 4=:?:42= EC2:?:?8 2E @?6 @7 `_ CFC2= D:E6D[ E96 AC@8C2> AC6A2C6D DEF56?ED 7@C 42C66CD 😕 CFC2= >65:4:?6]k^Am

kAm“%96 =:E6C2EFC6 E6==D FD :7 E96J’C6 7C@> 2 CFC2= 4@>>F?:EJ[ :7 J@F EC2:? E96> 😕 2 CFC2= 4@>>F?:EJ 2?5 :7 E96J 6DE23=:D9 C6=2E:@?D9:AD 😕 2 CFC2= 4@>>F?:EJ[ E96J’C6 8@:?8 E@ 6?5 FA AC24E:4:?8 E96C6[” D2:5 z2E9=66? “F:??[ |& 2DD@4:2E6 562? 7@C #FC2= w62=E9]k^Am

kAmr@=6 $496C56C =67E 9:D 9@>6E@H? @7 q@H=:?8 vC66? E@ DEF5J >65:4:?6 2D 2 qCJ2?E $49@=2C 2E |&[ 2?5 96 2=H2JD 324< 9@>6]k^Am

kAm%9C@F89 E96 $49@@= @7 |65:4:?6’D 4=6C[ 96 5:5 2 D6C:6D @7 EH@>@?E9 C@E2E:@?D — 6249 E6249:?8 2 5:776C6?E DA64:2=EJ — 😕 #@==2 2?5 $:<6DE@?]k^Am

kAm“*@F 86E D@ >F49 >@C6 6IA6C:6?46 H96? J@F’C6 2H2J 7C@> E96 3:8 24256>:4 46?E6CD[” 96 D2:5] “*@F 86E E@ 36 H2J >@C6 92?5D@? 2?5 A2CE:4:A2E6 😕 D@ >F49 >@C6[ 2?5 J@F 86E 2 =@E >@C6 :?5:G:5F2=:K65 2EE6?E:@?]”k^Am

kAmp 4@C?6CDE@?6 @7 $496C56C’D H@C< :? 72>:=J >65:4:?6 92D 2=H2JD 366? 96=A:?8 E96 F?56CD6CG65] sFC:?8 9:D C6D:56?4J 2?5 😕 9:D 62C=J 42C66C[ $496C56C EC62E65 CFC2= A@AF=2E:@?D 😕 }6H +62=2?5[ w2:E: 2?5 @? }2E:G6 p>6C:42? C6D6CG2E:@?D]k^Am

kAm%@52J[ 96 AC24E:46D 72>:=J >65:4:?6 2E w2??:32= #68:@?2= |65:42= vC@FA 😕 q@H=:?8 vC66?[ A@AF=2E:@? c[a`h 😕 a_a`]k^Am

kAm“%92E H2D E96 8@2=[” 96 D2:5] “w@>6 😀 9@>6[ 2?5 x 92G6 2=H2JD 76=E 2 AC6EEJ DEC@?8 AF== E@ 4@>6 324< 96C6]”k^Am

k9bm!9JD:4:2? D42C4:EJk^9bm

kAm|@C6 E92? 6G6C[ E96 D42C4:EJ :DDF6 😕 CFC2= |:DD@FC: ?665D E@ 36 255C6DD65] p44@C5:?8 E@ E96 $49@@= @7 |65:4:?6[ E96 DE2E6’D CFC2= A@AF=2E:@? 😀 @=56C[ @? 2G6C286[ E92? :ED FC32? A@AF=2E:@?]k^Am

kAmpD E9:D 8C@FA 4@?E:?F6D E@ 286[ :ED ?665 7@C 2446DD E@ AC:>2CJ 42C6 H:== :?4C62D6] *6E[ |:DD@FC: 92D 72==6? 369:?5 ?2E:@?2= 2G6C286D 😕 E6C>D @7 9@H >2?J A9JD:4:2?D H@C< H:E9:? E96 DE2E6]k^Am

kAm$:IEJ@?6 AC:>2CJ 42C6 A9JD:4:2?D A6C `__[___ |:DD@FC: C6D:56?ED H6C6 4@F?E65 😕 a_`g[ `d 76H6C E92? E96 ?2E:@?2= 2G6C286[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 #@36CE vC292> r6?E6C]k^Am

kAmpD 2 C6DF=E[ >@DE @7 E96 DE2E6 92D 2? :?DF77:4:6?E ?F>36C @7 A9JD:4:2?D 2?5 C6D@FC46D] x? |:DD@FC:[ `_d @7 E96 DE2E6’D “c 4@F?E:6D 2C6 4=2DD:7:65 2D “H9@=6 4@F?EJ 962=E9 AC@76DD:@?2= D9@CE286 2C62D[” 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 w#$p]k^Am

kAmx? E96 7246 @7 52F?E:?8 DE2E:DE:4D[ E96 |& $49@@= @7 |65:4:?6 92D 366? EC24<:?8 9@H 67764E:G6 :ED AC@8C2>D 2C6 2E 86EE:?8 qCJ2?E $49@=2CD :?E@ E96 CFC2= H@C<7@C46] p44@C5:?8 E@ 52E2 7C@> E96 #FC2= $49@=2CD !C@8C2>[ dg]`T @7 qCJ2?E $49@=2CD 7C@> E96 8C25F2E:?8 4=2DD6D @7 `hhf E@ a_ab AC24E:46 😕 2 CFC2= 2C62] yFDE F?56C d_T @7 qCJ2?E $49@=2CD AC24E:46 😕 CFC2= |:DD@FC: DA64:7:42==J]k^Am

kAm}2E:@?2==J[ =6DD E92? `_T @7 &]$] 5@4E@CD AC24E:46 😕 CFC2= 2C62D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 2 a_`h p>6C:42? w@DA:E2= pDD@4:2E:@? C6A@CE] (9:=6 |:DD@FC:’D ?F>36CD DFCA2DD ?2E:@?2= 2G6C286D[ “F:?? D2:5 E96C6 😀 DE:== C@@> 7@C :>AC@G6>6?E]k^Am

kAm“x H2?E >@C6 @7 @FC 8C25F2E6D E@ 8@ @FE E96C6 2?5 E@ E6249 DEF56?ED 369:?5 E96> 😕 E96 A:A6=:?6 3642FD6 H6’G6 8@E E@ 86E >@C6 J@F?8 A6@A=6 :?E6C6DE65 😕 CFC2=[” D96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm%96 ?6H S`e >:==:@? 2H2C5[ 8C2?E65 3J E96 w62=E9 #6D@FC46D 2?5 $6CG:46D p5>:?:DEC2E:@?[ H:== 36 FD65 E@ 6?92?46 CFC2= AC@8C2>D 2E |& E9C@F89 a_af 😕 D6G6C2= H2JD[ “F:?? D2:5]k^Am

kAmu:CDE[ :E H:== AC@G:56 2E =62DE a_ DEF56?ED H:E9 D49@=2CD9:AD 24C@DD 7@FC J62CD @7 >65:42= D49@@=]k^Am

kAm%96 >@?6J H:== 2=D@ 7F?5 E96 AC@8C2>’D D:>F=2E:@? G2?D] %96D6 G69:4=6D 2C6 6BF:AA65 H:E9 =:76=:<6 >2??6BF:?D E@ EC2:? CFC2= 7:CDE C6DA@?56CD 2?5 A9JD:4:2?D 😕 =:76D2G:?8 E649?:BF6D[ 7C@> :?EF32E:@? E@ 52?86C@FD 3:CE9 D46?2C:@D]k^Am

kAmp55:E:@?2= >@?6J H:== 6IA2?5 A2CE?6CD9:AD H:E9 4=:?:42= EC2:?:?8 D:E6D 2?5 6DE23=:D9 ?6H 4FCC:4F=F> 7@C DEF56?ED :?E6C6DE65 😕 2 CFC2= A2E9H2J]k^Am

kAm“(6 42??@E 5@ E9:D AC@8C2> H:E9@FE @FC CFC2= 9@DA:E2= A2CE?6CD[” “F:?? D2:5] “%96J AC@G:56 BF2=:EJ 962=E942C6 E@ CFC2= |:DD@FC:2?D 2?5 E96J ?665 D@ >F49 DFAA@CE]”k^Am

k9bm$EC@?8 AF== E@ C6EFC?k^9bm

kAmsFC:?8 2 EJA:42= H@C<52J[ r@=6 $496C56C H:== D66 2C@F?5 `d A2E:6?ED[ >2?J @7 E96> 72>:=:2C 7246D]k^Am

kAm|2CJ z] %9@>2D[ 9:D 7@C>6C 9:89 D49@@= 3:@=@8J E62496C[ 92D 366? 5C:G:?8 7C@> |:55=6E@H? E@ q@H=:?8 vC66? E@ D66 96C 7@C>6C AFA:= D:?46 96 C6EFC?65 E@ !:<6 r@F?EJ]k^Am

kAm“x 6 2 5@4E@C[” %9@>2D D2:5] “p?5 H2J 324< H96? 96 H2D :? 9:89 D49@@=[ x D2:5[ ‘(6== H96? J@F 4@>6 324< E@ q@H=:?8 vC66? 2?5 564:56 E@ 36 2 5@4E@C 96C6[ x’== 36 J@FC A2E:6?E]’”k^Am

kAm$:?46 $496C56C C6EFC?65 9@>6[ D96 92D D66? 9:> C68F=2C=J] %96 9:DE@CJ E96 EH@ D92C6 255D 2 =6G6= @7 4@>7@CE E@ E96:C A2E:6?E5@4E@C C6=2E:@?D9:A]k^Am

kAm“p =@E @7 A6@A=6 5@?’E H2?E 2 5@4E@C] %96J 5@?’E H2?E E@ ?665 2 5@4E@C[” $496C56C D2:5] “qFE D:?46 E96J 2=C625J 6[ 2?5 x’> =:<6 E96 9@>6E@H? A6CD@? E92E E96J’C6 4@>7@CE23=6 H:E9[ E96J ;FDE 92G6 2? 2FE@>2E:4[ 3F:=E:? =6G6= @7 4@>7@CE]”k^Am

kAm%9@>2D D2:5 D96 😀 A=62D65 D96 4@F=5 7F=7:== 96C A=6586 E@ 7@==@H 9:D >65:42= 42C66C]k^Am

kAm“xE’D ?:46 E@ 92G6 E92E <:?5 @7 C6=2E:@?D9:A 2?5 36 23=6 E@ ECFDE H9@ J@F’C6 D66:?8 2?5

kAm$E:==[ 7@C A2E:6?ED =:<6 %9@>2D H9@ =:G6 😕 D>2== CFC2= E@H?D[ A=246D =:<6 q@H=:?8 vC66? 2C6 42E49>6?E 2C62D]k^Am

kAm“x 5@?’E E9:?< x C62==J F?56CDE@@5 E96 8C2G:EJ @7 2 CFC2= 962=E9 42C6 D9@CE286 F?E:= x =:G65 2?5 H@C<65 :? 2 CFC2= 962=E9 42C6 D6EE:?8[” $496C56C D2:5] “%96? J@F C62=:K6 2== E96 A6@A=6 E92E ?665 E@ 36 D66?[ 2?5 9@H 76H A6@A=6 E96C6 2C6 E@ 5@ :E]”k^Am

k9bm~?6 5@4E@C 2E 2 E:>6k^9bm

kAm~?6 H2J A9JD:4:2?D =:<6 $496C56C D66< E@ 3C:586 E96 82A :? CFC2= 962=E9 42C6 =:6D :? 4@?E:?F65 >6?E@CD9:A H:E9 |& DEF56?ED] %9C@F89 E96 |& #FC2= $49@=2CD !C@8C2>[ E9:C5J62C >65:42= DEF56?ED 2C6 C6BF:C65 E@ 4@>A=6E6 CFC2= 4=:?:42= C@E2E:@?D] $496C56C 92D 366? >6?E@C:?8 >65:42= DEF56?ED :?E6C6DE65 😕 42C66CD 😕 CFC2= >65:4:?6 7@C 6:89E J62CD]k^Am

kAm~?6 4FCC6?E qCJ2?E $49@=2C[ w2:=66 r@=6>2?[ 😀 2 7:CDEJ62C >65:42= DEF56?E H9@ D2:5 96C :?E6C6DE 😕 CFC2= >65:4:?6 3682? D6G6? J62CD 28@ 27E6C 96C 72E96C DF776C65 2 >2DD:G6 962CE 2EE24<]k^Am

kAmpE E96 E:>6[ 96C 9@>6E@H? @7 u2C>:?8E@? 😕 D@FE962DE |:DD@FC: 5:5 ?@E 92G6 2 42C5:24 42E96E6C:K2E:@? =23] x?DE625[ r@=6>2?’D 72E96C H2D CFD965 ?@CE9 E@H2C5 $E] {@F:D 😕 2? 2>3F=2?46[ H9:49 925 E@ DE@A b_ >:?FE6D :?E@ E96 5C:G6 E@ D9@4< 2?5 C6G:G6 9:D 962CE]k^Am

kAmp=E9@F89 96 😀 😕 8@@5 962=E9 E@52J 2?5 u2C>:?8E@? 92D D:?46 3F:=E 2 42E96E6C:K2E:@? =23[ E96 6IA6C:6?46 DEF4< H:E9 r@=6>2?]k^Am

kAmpD 2 qCJ2?E $49@=2C[ D96 😀 >2E4965 H:E9 2 CFC2= D:E6 H96C6 D96 H:== 4@>A=6E6 E9C66 4=6C:?8E@? 2C62[ D96 😀 @A6? E@ 2?JH96C6]k^Am

kAm“pD =@?8 2D :E’D CFC2=[” D96 D2:5] “x ;FDE H2?E E@ 36 E96C6] x H2?E E@ 36 23=6 E@ AC@G:56 7@C E96 CFC2= 2C62 😕 H9:49 x 8C6H FA 3642FD6 2 CFC2= 2C62 92D 42FD65 >6 E@ 8C@H :?E@ E96 A6CD@? E92E x 2> E@52J]”k^Am

kAm(9:=6 DF49 2 4@>A=6I :DDF6 5@6D ?@E 92G6 @?6 D:?8F=2C D@=FE:@?[ $496C56C 36=:6G6D C6249:?8 CFC2= DEF56?ED E9C@F89 E96 qCJ2?E $49@=2CD !C@8C2> 😀 2 8@@5 DE2CE]k^Am

kAm“t2C=J 6IA@DFC6 E@ =@ED @7 5:776C6?E EJA6D @7 962=E9 42C6 D6EE:?8D 😀 AC@323=J E96 36DE D@=FE:@?] *@F 86E E@ D66 :E[ J@F 86E E@ 6IA6C:6?46 :E[ J@F 86E E@ F?56CDE2?5 E96 36?67:ED[” 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm“%96 qCJ2?E $49@=2CD !C@8C2> 5:5 2 8C62E ;@3 @7 E92E 7@C >6[” $496C56C 25565] “x 925 >F=E:A=6 E:>6D H96? x H2D H@C<:?8 :? 2 CFC2= D6EE:?8[ 2?5 :E 2=H2JD A@D:E:G6=J C6:?7@C465 E96 :562 E92E E92E :D H92E x H2?E65 E@ 5@]”k^Am

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Central Missouri Humane Society has acquired land for its new shelter.

CMHS spokesperson Michelle Casey said the organization obtained 17.5 acres of land on the northwest corner of Rangeline Street and Brown School Road just North of Columbia.

“We’ve needed a new building for a really long time, so this was a really important step to find property that was going to be a good fit for us,” Casey said.

CMHS has been in its current building since 1976. Last month, Casey told ABC 17 News that CMHS has outgrown its space on Big Bear Boulevard and the property allowed no room to expand. The shelter is also a safety hazard with black mold and asbestos.

“We just want to make sure as a shelter that we’re continuing to evolve and grow, so we can not only meet the current needs, but the future needs of this community,” Casey said.

CMHS purchased the land for $800,000. Casey said they are now working with engineers and architects to get an estimate on how much it will cost to build the new shelter.

She said CMHS is in the schematic design phase, but won’t move onto the construction phase until the organization is closer to their fundraising goal. Right now, she said they are in the silent fundraising phase, looking for large donors to come forward to help with the project.

A rendering of the new shelter. Photo courtesy CMHS

A news release Thursday said the next step is to annex and rezone the property. Casey said Crockett Engineering Consultants will help CMHS with this.

The shelter hopes to break ground on its new facility in 2024. Coil Construction Inc will be assisting with construction plans.

Casey said the new shelter will be about 23,000 square feet, which is almost double the current shelter’s size of about 12,000-13,000 square feet.

The new shelter site is only a couple minutes up the road from its current location on Big Bear Boulevard. Casey said location was important because they have a working relationship with the University of Missouri’s Shelter Medicine program, which is located right next to the current shelter.

“Finding this new property that is close to where we are now, is going to be really helpful in maintaining that relationship with Shelter Medicine and making it easy to transfer animals back and forth,” Casey said.

She said animal housing space in the new building will be comparable to that of the current shelter, but the new building will also have a focus on resources.

“The big thing in the new building is really focusing on community resources and what we can do to prevent animals from even coming into the shelter in the first place,” Casey said.

She said CMHS has several safety net programs to help pet owners who may be trying to decide if they should relinquish their pet. The shelter has a program called Animal Safety Net for survivors of domestic violence, in which CMHS takes in those pets and gives them care before reuniting them with their owners once the owners find safe and permanent housing.

CMHS also houses the City of Columbia’s Animal Control services. Casey said CMHS has plans to include Animal Control in its new facility.

As of last month, Deputy City Manager Mike Griggs said there were no city funds designated to the new shelter, but that could change if the new location includes the city’s Animal Control services.

On Thursday, he said CMHS has not officially informed the City of Columbia about its plans for a new shelter, so there is no new information at this point.

Originally Appeared Here