Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP) and Meramec Regional Planning Commission, along with other area economic development agencies, are seeking to learn more about the experiences and perceptions of citizens and businesses in the Fort Leonard Wood region.

Two separate surveys, personal and business, have been created in order to get feedback from citizens and businesses in Pulaski, Phelps, Laclede and Texas counties.

These surveys are available at www.meramecregion.org/surveys/ or https://www.sustainableozarks.org/ and close on Dec. 14.

MRPC has also shared the surveys through its Facebook page.

The surveys focus on views regarding the quality of life, entrepreneurship opportunities, tourism and community life, housing, work opportunities and business climate. Each survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.

The surveys are part of a larger economic development effort, funded through a grant from the Department of Defense-Office of Economic Adjustment to the cities of St. Robert and Waynesville and coordinated by SOP. The SOP is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2012, which focuses on a four-county region surrounding Fort Leonard Wood. The region includes Laclede, Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas counties.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Washington County Presiding Commissioner Marvin Wright serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 25 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.