A few hundred business leaders, bankers and entrepreneurs joined elected officials and others for Thursday’s annual meeting of Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) at Memorial Stadium.
This year’s meeting took place at the Rock M Club in the north end zone. REDI president Paul Eisenstein gave a positive report, but emphasizes not being complacent:
“I think we’ve got a great community but we’ve got to go out and make sure we have one voice and as a community what do we want to achieve. How can we bring more quality jobs to our community,” Mr. Eisenstein says.
New REDI board chair Matt Williams of Simmons Bank also spoke, highlighting the importance of Missouri’s I-70 expansion project, the 60th anniversary of MURR and the $250-million Memorial Stadium Centennial project.
Meantime, Columbia Regional Airport (COU) is the nation’s fastest-growing airport, with record June and July numbers. President Eisenstein highlighted the importance of that air service during his presentation at REDI’s 38th annual meeting on Thursday. Mr. Eisenstein spoke to 939 the Eagle after his presentation:
“If Columbia and Boone County want to compete and bring businesses here and attract talent, we need air service to our market. So we’re really proud of Columbia and Boone County’s growth in air service,” he says.
Mr. Eisenstein says COU has flights in all four directions: to Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth and to Denver. Allegiant this year began flying to Orlando Sanford and to Destin/Fort Walton Beach. COU’s flights have been full.