Regional Economic Partnership meets Oct. 28

The Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership and the Springfield Chamber of Commerce will host the sixth annual meeting beginning at 8:45 a.m. at Highland Springs Country Club.

Registration lasts until 9 a.m., when Battlefield Chamber of Commerce President Marlene Feisthamel and the Battlefield chamber will welcome attendees, followed by a partnership update.

At 9:30 a.m., a panel of local business leaders who traveled to China this year will present “The Realities and Opportunities of China’s Economy.” Springfield chamber Executive Vice President Brad Bodenhausen, attorney Randell Wallace of Lathrop & Gage, accountant Andy Lear of BKD and business broker Chuck Woolley of Kingsley Group will discuss the impact of the world’s fastest growing economy on businesses in southwest Missouri.

Rick McDowell, senior manager at KPMG business advisory services in Kansas City, will discuss “Business Recruitment: Site Selection Facts” at 11 a.m. McDowell will help guide business leaders in recruiting new business and understanding recent trends in business location.

At 11:50 a.m., attendees will eat lunch and hear a speech on “Early Childhood Development: Economic Development with a High Public Return.” Rob Grunewald, regional economic analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will speak about the benefits of investing in early childhood development, which he says result in less crime, more educated workers and improved schools.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or by calling (417) 862-5567. The cost includes lunch.

The partnership has 62 city, chamber of commerce and county members in Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster counties.