FTZ Closer to Reality

For close to three years, there has been a lot of talk about a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) being formed in the Neosho Industrial park.  Several months ago, the FTZ application hit a snag in Washington D.C. when the folks from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) weren't on board with the proposal. It appears some wrangling and arm twisting has changed that.  According to sources within the FTZ board office in D.C., NABIFI has modified the FTZ application and boundaries and removed the land associated with a proposed inter-modal facility from the FTZ site plan.  That change has allowed the CBP folks to now get on board.  FTZ Board review is now expected to happen as early as mid-July.

Below is a link to the original presentation to the Springfield Airport Board back in 2014.  While some of the information is inaccurate, it gives you an idea of what was proposed at the time.

FTZ Presentation to Springfield Airport Board - Dec 2014

The Boulevard Blog is Back!

For the past 5 years or so, I spent a few minutes every Thursday writing an article that was published each Friday in the Neosho Daily News.  After almost 6 years as mayor and over 200 articles, that routine rolled to a stop as the torch was passed to Mayor Collinsworth.  

Over that 5 year period, the column became a great communication tool for the city as well as a good exercise for me to keep my writing skills in shape.  Not wanting to lose either, I will soon be restarting my Boulevard Blog to keep those who are interested abreast of a variety of happenings in the area.

I hope you enjoy it.

- Richard