by Jeff Quibell
5. March 2009 01:01
I remember how I felt the first time I heard the city was building Adams Dairy Parkway. It was exciting to learn that the future of our city would include businesses with high-paying jobs that would allow our citizens to work, live and play in our own city. I could see the positive impact that this development would have for all of us in Blue Springs.
When I joined the City Council in 2005, I was excited about the prospect of helping realize that vision. The job required identifying existing obstacles and proposing solutions to move development forward and create an environment that would raise interest in this special asset that our city had created. To realize the vision that was Adams Dairy Parkway, we had to focus the City Council’s diverse interests and bring consensus to our goals.
Last week I attended the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation quarterly luncheon. Brian Foster, provost of the University of Missouri-Columbia, was the keynote speaker. He talked about the plans the university has for the Missouri Innovation Park and painted a picture of how the park will be developed. The park will be a place where doctoral students can interact with cutting-edge research facilities to solve the questions of human and animal health and promote the field of life sciences.
The crowd sensed the excitement that the convergence of high-quality research surrounding the life sciences will bring to our community, the region and our state. Looking forward to thousands of new, high-paying jobs and their economic benefit cemented the feeling that we were now taking the right steps to bring prosperity to our community.
I congratulate Mayor Carson Ross for the active role he has played in bringing the Missouri Innovation Park plans together, and I urge all members of the council to be aware of the possible ramifications of their actions as they evaluate projects in and around this growing area. National developers and employers are already seeking information about this project, and it’s important that our city council representatives fully understand the project. I was encouraged to see that Councilmen Lauer, Edmondson, Reed and Shaver attended the luncheon to hear and experience first-hand the excitement surrounding this unique opportunity.
Today, as you drive Adams Dairy Parkway, the promise of progress surrounds you. The excitement of seeing our investment in the parkway finally realized brings a sense of accomplishment, as we look to the bright future that will include the Missouri Innovation Park in our community.
Our state Senate is considering legislation to help fund this project. Please contact Senator Matt Bartle at 573-751-1464 to encourage his support of the Missouri Innovation Park provisions of this important legislation.