High Priority Transportation Projects in Missouri Receive Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C., (SLFP.com), October 25, 2003 - Senator Kit Bond has announced that a bipartisan agreement has been reached on the federal highway bill. This agreement, Bond said on Friday, will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs each year and increase safety on our nation's roads and bridges.
Missouri will receive more than $54 million for high priority transportation projects in one of the nation's thirteen spending bills.
In an announcement, Senator Kit Bond stated that "My first priority is to create more good-paying jobs for Missourians. By investing in our roads, bridges and airports we make our state more attractive for businesses and that means more jobs."
"Anyone who has driven on Missouri's highways knows we can - and must - do better. Today's agreement will go a long way in making the critical improvements our state needs," said Bond, who is Chairman of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "This bill addresses conditions on Missouri's roads and bridges making them safer for our families, while creating many new much-needed jobs across our state."
Senators Bond, Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Chairman of the full EPW Committee, Jim Jeffords, ranking Democrat on EPW, and Harry Reid (D-NV), ranking member of the Transportation Subcommittee have reached an agreement that Bond says will accomplish his two main goals - make our roads safer and create more jobs.
The bill will elevate safety to a core program highlighting the need to address the over 42,800 lives lost on our nation's roadways 2003. This $255 billion bill will also create an estimated hundreds of thousands of new jobs per year. Earlier this year Bond authored an amendment that passed the Senate to increase the budget resolution from the original $206 billion for highway spending to $255 billion. Since every $1 billion in highway spending creates an estimated 47,500 new jobs, this is a significant boost to job growth efforts. "I am extremely pleased the Senate Bill includes the higher funding level from the Bond-Reid amendment that was overwhelmingly supported by my colleagues on both sides of the isle," said Bond.
The $54.65 million Bond secured are contained in the Transportation Appropriations bill. Already passed by the House, the Senate passed the bill last night. The next step is for the bill to go to the President for his signature. Bond secured funds for the following projects:
- $10 million to improve statewide bus service and facilities.
- $4.5 million to improve bus service in Kansas City.
- $3.5 million to improve bus service in St. Louis.
- $6 million for Highway 19 bridge replacement in Hermann.
- $4 million for I-270 at Dorsett and I-70 interchange improvements.
- $5 million for statewide Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems.
- $5 million for US-67 improvements (with Rep. JoAnn Emerson).
- $6 million for statewide Job Access and Reverse Commute grant program.
- $2.5 million for OATS Bus, Vans and Facilities (www.oatstransit.org)
- $2 million for Springfield Regional Intelligent Transportation Service (with Rep. Roy Blunt).
- $1.2 million for St. Louis Lambert Air Traffic Control facilities.
- $1 million for Springfield rail grade reconfiguration project (with Rep. Roy Blunt).
- $1 million to improve Flintlock Road Overpass in Liberty, MO (with Sen. Jim Talent).
- $1 million for I-70/Hwy-63 interchange in Columbia (with Rep. Kenny Hulshof).
- $1 million for I-44/US-65 interchange (with Rep. Roy Blunt).
- $550,000 for St. Louis airport console replacement.
- $400,000 for Greene County bridge upgrade, bridge #1480230 (with Rep. Roy Blunt).
With Friday's agreement all 50 states will reach a minimum 95 cent return on the dollar in highway funds paid at the pump. Bond has championed increased funds for donor states since elected to the Senate. In 1986 Missouri received only 76 cents on the dollar. Bond fought to increase Missouri's share, first to 87 cents, then 90.5 and with today's agreement, the state will receive 95 cents on the dollar in highway funds.
Isle of Capri Casinos Receives Approval to Own Casinos in Britain
BILOXI, Miss., (PRNewswire), October 25, 2003 - Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. has announced that the Gaming Board for Great Britain has approved the acquisition of a majority interest in Blue Chip Casinos Plc. Isle of Capri is the first American casino operator to receive Gaming Board approval.
In a statement, Bernard Goldstein, Isle of Capri Casinos chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Isle of Capri has been a pioneer in the regional gaming industry in the United States, and we continue that tradition by being the first American casino company to enter the United Kingdom market."
Timothy M. Hinkley, president and chief operating officer of the Isle of Capri, commented that, "Through our ownership in Blue Chip, we believe we gain an advantage - giving us valuable experience prior to enactment of the proposed UK gaming reforms. This is the company's first step in our U.K. strategy, applying our proven business model of being first in regional markets with a highly branded product. We look forward to introducing Isle Style gaming to the United Kingdom."
Also, as recently announced, Isle of Capri has signed Heads of Terms to own and operate a 100,000-square-foot entertainment complex, including an Isle of Capri Casino, in Coventry, England adjacent to the City's planned football arena. The project is subject to receiving all necessary approvals.
Isle of Capri regards the United Kingdom as the cornerstone of its international expansion. Isle plans several additional regional entertainment complexes which will feature an Isle of Capri casino, as well as development of a local-market Isle Club concept.
In September, the company announced that it had entered into an agreement to purchase The Admiral casino riverboat in St. Louis Missouri from The President Riverboat Casino-Missouri, Inc.
Prince Andrew Visits the Missouri Botanical Garden
(OCTOBER 23, 2003) -The Duke of York toured the Missouri Botanical Garden during his visit to St. Louis. (Photo above, center): Prince Andrew spoke with Jack Thomas, president of the Missouri Botanical Garden Board of Trustees and Deborah Lalumondier, staff horticulturist and curator of the Climatron, as they walked past the Milles Sculpture Garden near the Spink Pavilion. On October 22, the Duke also visited GKN Aerospace Services facility in St. Louis as part of the Duke's role as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment supporting United Kingdom (UK) companies trading internationally and encouraging foreign investment.
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Boeing 7E7 Will Use Air Transport for Parts Delivery
Reports compiled by SLFP.com staff
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), October 23, 2003 - Boeing has announced that it will dramatically reduce the time to move components of its new 7E7 passenger plane to final assembly from suppliers by adopting air transportation as its primary method of parts delivery.
The Boeing 7E7 is being developed as a 200- to 250-seat airplane that will fly between 7,000 and 8,000 nautical miles at speeds similar to today's fastest twin-aisle commercial airplanes - the Boeing 777 and 747.
In an annoucement, the company stated that it projects possible savings of 20 to 40 percent compared to traditional shipping methods, with delivery times of as little as one day, rather than as many as 30 days for other programs today.
"Transporting large pieces by air will allow us to dramatically reduce flow time," said Mike Bair, senior vice president of the 7E7 program. "We're committed to doing things differently to create value for our customers."
U.K.-based GKN Aerospace Services North America -St. Louis is working with Boeing to develop the materials technologies that are being evaluated for the new Boeing 7E7 commercial airplane program.
Mike Bair said that "GKN is providing skill and expertise as we evaluate the materials possibilities for the Boeing 7E7. They are an important part of our technology development team and we appreciate their involvement. We are making great progress and I believe we will be ready to make a final materials technology selections near the middle of this year."
Graham Chisnall, GKN Aerospace Services Director of Engineering, said that "By joining the 7E7 technology development team we are helping to find exciting solutions for this new generation civil program. This is an important move in our strategic development as one of the world's leading aerospace suppliers."
"The UK is an extremely mature market for Boeing," stated Sir Michael Jenkins, president of Boeing UK. "Boeing is the biggest commercial customer for the UK's aerospace industry, and Sir Michael expects the country's suppliers-and airline customers-to be "big players in the 7E7 story."
GKN Aerospace Services North America -St. Louis produces metallic and composite structures for commercial and military aircraft. Current programs in GKN - St. Louis' portfolio are the F/A-18, C-17, F-15, F/A-22, A-380, F-35 and Bombardier 300.
See Related Story: Duke of York to Visit St. Louis
AVIS Teams With Points of Light Foundation on 40th Anniversary of 'We Try Harder'
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP), October 23, 2003 - To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its 'We Try Harder' tagline, Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. has announced an alliance with the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network, a national non-profit organization that supports the work of millions of volunteers in thousands of communities.
In a national survey about volunteerism conducted this summer by Avis, the company found that 74% of respondents said that companies who pride themselves on customer service should actively foster community service. Avis was recently named the number one brand among 182 in the Brand Keys' Customer Loyalty Index for the second consecutive year. The company also tied for the highest ranking in the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Domestic Airport Rental Car Customer Satisfaction StudySM.
"At Avis, 'We Try Harder' has become more than a tagline - it reflects our corporate philosophy and inspires business decisions, employee actions and the customer experience every day," stated Robert Salerno, President and CEO of the Cendant Car Rental Group, the parent company of Avis. "We are proud to celebrate the anniversary by partnering with the Points of Light Foundation, whose values and mission make it a perfect partner to help extend the spirit of our great customer service to community service."
As part of the alliance, Avis will provide the Foundation with a cash donation, in-kind vehicle rentals, discounted rates for people who volunteer through local Volunteer Centers and awareness building of the important role community service can play.
"Joining forces with Avis is very exciting for the Points of Light Foundation. Avis is an admired company that has built its reputation on going above and beyond for its customers and employees," said Robert Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network. "Together, we hope to inspire volunteers to 'try harder' to build a culture of service, neighbor to neighbor."
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