MARIES COUNTY — In his report about a recent Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone (GVEZ) meeting, Maries County Presiding Commissioner Victor Stratman said they talked about how the land near Brewer Science at the Rolla National Airport in Vichy is “ready to go” for industrial development.

Stratman said the recent meeting was held at the airport. They were told upcoming improvements will be made to two 5,500 ft. by 100 ft. runways that have enough landing and take-off space for a 737 aircraft.

The airport is getting busier as fuel sales there are reported to be up by 300 percent. Baron Aviation plays an important role at the airport in Vichy.

Stratman said they talked about the land at the airport being development ready with infrastructure such as water and sewer, a big water tower, and electrical in place. The ISO rating has been reduced for Brewer Science.

Brewer Science wants to double the size of its production at the airport facility. However, it was built to be able to increase production but the additional space has not been needed because it has greatly increased its efficiency in production. 

Maries County GVEZ members are Stratman, Ray Schwartze, and Lloyd Honse.

Election Grant

County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers said she received an election grant from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office for about $2,300. She applied for it as it will pay for scanners and a computer. She also applied for another grant from the state to help pay for Emily Heavin’s work in her office.

Might as well

It was reported the restroom downstairs is having the same floor heaving up problem as the sheriff’s hallway the county is having Ken Stratman repair. Commissioner Stratman looked at it and said the men’s room is worse but the ladies room floor is heaving up as well. Both are covered with tile. He thinks since Ken Stratman is going to be at the courthouse fixing the hallway floor, he might as well take care of these restrooms as well.

Beautification

Stratman said there are things that need to be done on the courthouse property and he wants to pursue the idea of applying for a beautification grant through MRPC.

Trees need to be trimmed and the commissioners have long discussed replacing the old, wooden benches at the front courthouse entrance. Stratman contacted Feeler Tree Service and someone will be coming to give a price for tree trimming. On the internet Rodgers found benches they liked. An attractive four foot powder coated steel bench is about $350 and the same bench in a length of six foot is about $500. The two four foot benches will be used on the front porch and the six foot bench will be used in the front foyer.

Grinding Shingles

The commissioners received information about an Owensville man, Jim Moritz, who is grinding shingles, reducing them to dust and wants to sell this product to road districts to put on gravel roads to reduce dust. The minimum purchase for the county is 200 tons at $15 to $17 per ton. He also needs a letter of intent to purchase before he moves forward.

Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre said it will cost more than the rock they use on the roads, which they currently are paying $5.60 a ton for rock from the quarry.

Stratman said what Moritz is doing reduces solid waste as he is recycling a product that would be dumped in a landfill. He wondered if there might by a solid waste grant available for him. Stratman said Moritz is trying to get Osage, Gasconade, and Maries County to come together and purchase this product. Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel said maybe if they showed some interest he might be able to get a grant.

No contract, no minimum

Custodian Shawn Eaton received the commissioners okay to begin purchasing paper towels, toilet paper and soap from Office Essentials out of Columbia. He said he can save $240 a year in toilet paper alone and about $1,000 a year on all three items. The company will provide free touchless, hands free toilet paper dispensers, which Eaton will install. There is no contract and no minimum purchase required.

The commissioners also heard a pitch about saving energy with LED bulbs. Ameren offers a rebate on the purchase of bulbs. After the sales pitch they began to look at prices on the internet and want to go with the best way. The salesman wanted $18 an hour to install the bulbs that Eaton said he can do it himself. But, he has other responsibilities. Stratman said they will look into it for a bit to see the best way to go or even if they want to.