Boone County News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Michele Hall, Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Email: mhall@boonecountymo.org
Public Invited to Meetings Regarding Future of Central Missouri Events Center
October 16, 2013
The future of Central Missouri Events Center (CMEC), formerly the Boone County Fairgrounds, will be the topic of public forums scheduled across Boone County October 23 and October 28, 2013. The public is invited and encouraged to attend these meetings to share ideas and provide input to the Boone County Commission and the CMEC Task Force regarding the future of the home of so many Boone County traditions.
As a speaker at the Boone County Fair's Annual Ham Breakfast on Saturday, July 27, 2013, Northern District Commissioner Janet Thompson painted a sobering picture of the future of the fairgrounds. TAG Events, LLC, managers of CMEC since September 2011, announced earlier this year they will manage the venue through the end of June 2014. The future of this Boone County asset beyond TAG Events is uncertain, leaving difficult choices to be made. She finished with a call to action: as community members, we are essential to ensuring the future of CMEC and we, therefore, must all actively participate in creating that future. On Thursday, September 26, Commissioner Thompson proved this wasn't just lip service by calling to order the first meeting of the Central Missouri Events Center Task Force. The Task Force, chaired by former Governor Roger B. Wilson, includes representatives of Boone County communities with a passion for bringing CMEC back to life.
CMEC is a multi-use venue with great potential for growth and, with that growth, the potential for increased revenue to local businesses. It is only with the support and participation of citizens from across Boone County, however, that this potential may be realized. With this in mind, the CMEC Task Force is requesting the attendance of Boone County citizens at one of four public meetings to share ideas and discuss options. The input of those who use the venue is essential to the development of a plan for the future, a plan which the Task Force will then present to the Boone County Commission as a recommendation.
Meetings will be held concurrently on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7:00PM at the Ashland Optimist Club, the Hallsville Intermediate School and Midway Heights Elementary School. A meeting will also be held at 7:00PM on Monday, October 28, 2013 in the Roger B. Wilson Boone County Government Center Commission Chambers. Questions may be directed to the Commission office at (573) 886-4312.
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