Kevin Keith MoDot Chief Engineer [Click to enlarge]

The City of Kennett, Kennett Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC) District 7, the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission and the Missouri Transportation Development Council will be hosting the community event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the American Legion Building in Kennett to address concerns surrounding what impact good roads have on area business and how much investment is required to improve and maintain Missouri's roads.

Experts participating in the summit will include MoDot Chief Engineer, Kevin Keith; Senator Bill Stouffer, Chair of the Missouri Senate Transportation Committee; and David Stokes, policy analyst with the Show-Me Institute.

The authorities contributing to the discussion will cover the condition of Missouri's roads and what needs to be done to prepare them for future transportation needs. Current federal and state funding will also be an item of interest during the summit.

According to Kennett Chamber of Commerce, Transportation Committee Chairman, Bud Hunt, the issue of transportation is a considerable issue for everyone in the community.

"Transportation is a critical piece of any community's infrastructure. Missouri is at a crossroads, pardon the pun, in funding for its roadways. This summit will be a good opportunity for leaders and interested people in Dunklin County to see what's in our future," Hunt noted.

"We're fortunate to have Sen. Stouffer, a key policy maker on hand for this discussion. Kevin Keith is no stranger to Dunklin County and was a key player in getting U.S. 412 completed as a four-lane road into Dunklin County back when Mark Preyer was a member of the state transportation."

Concerned citizens who would like to participate in the event and share their feedback on the future of Missouri's transportation system are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Executive Director of the Kennett Chamber of Commerce, Jan McElwrath, who is also the co-chair of the Missouri Economic Development Council's transportation committee and a member of the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee, said that those residents who are interested in attending the summit should respond with their intentions to attend no later than 5 p.m., Thursday, July 24 to the Chamber of Commerce.

A meal catered by Strawberry's BBQ will be provided during the summit at $12.50 per person.

For more information or to register for the event call Jan McElwrath at (573) 888-5828 or e-mail info@kennettmo.com.