By MATT PIKE
Several St. Joseph city officials and leaders will travel to Washington DC this week to participate in the annual 'DC Fly In"
The trip brings togethers officials from the 139th Airlift Group, city officials, and leaders from organizations around the city, such as the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Western State University, and area businesses.
City Councilmember At Large Randy Schultz says during the trip, a big mission will continue to be acquiring upgraded J Model planes for the 139th's base at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.
"We'll have a meet and greet with the head of the Air National Guard, and the importance of that is it's $200 million to St. Joseph's economy," Schultz says on the KFEQmunnity show. "And they are rebuilding the base, building it on higher ground, and we're always trying to get the J Model's here, which is the next generation of the C-130's you see flying around."
Schultz says from what he has heard, it appears the 139th may be getting closer to getting the J Model planes, if things go the way they hope.
"Because there were some J Models, actually the first generation not the second, but they are reallocating those," Schultz explains. "So we're hoping to be on that list this year to get it reallocated, at least two or three, maybe four, I mean you hear these great rumors, but hopefully they're going to come true."
On top of meeting with the Air National Guard, Schultz says leaders will get the opportunity to speak to lawmakers such as Eric Schmitt, Josh Hawley, and Sam Graves among others.
Schultz says with those lawmakers, some of the concerns highlighted are around the infrastructure of the city.
"So, you're looking at how can we get more funding for our wastewater? How much of our funding can we get for our roads and bridges, things like that," Schultz says. "So if you bring up those concerns, then they understand when they're in their appropriations, then they can actually say you know what my constituents need x amount down at the waste water, or roads and bridges, we have a bridge that we need to be quickly repaired, so it's huge to get your name on that list."
Schultz says on top of city officials, leaders from Missouri Western State University, Mosaic Life Care, and Triumph Foods will also be on hand to talk about their concerns.
St. Joseph officials will be in Washington DC June 9th through the 11th.
Interview
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.