Leaders says Fort Leonard Wood is an asset that also needs improvements

Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri’s Ozarks is an economic driver that sustains the region, and is also a resource in need of care and expansion.

Those were among the messages at the annual meeting Wednesday of the Sustainable Ozark Partnership, a nonprofit organization that works to develop the region around Fort Leonard Wood.

The big project underway at the military installation is a new, $400 million hospital.

“That’s a good sign. The Pentagon isn’t going to stop investing in a place after building that kind of facility,” said U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, one of the speakers at the meeting.

Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, told the audience of community leaders she will continue to advocate for Fort Leonard Wood after she leaves office now that her bid for the U.S. Senate was unsuccessful.

“We need to continue to try and expand other services coming here. I think we can expand more into talking and reaching out more to the Air Force and the Navy,” Hartzler said.