11:45 a.m. UPDATE (AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is creating a new military partnership led by state Treasurer Clint Zweifel to focus on keeping and enhancing military bases, force strength and federal defense spending in the state.

The Missouri Military Partnership was given a March 31 deadline to submit a report laying out a strategy for protecting and improving the state’s defense installations.

Nixon said Friday the military bases and service members are important for national security and Missouri’s economy. He said an economic impact study indicates the Missouri National Guard, Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood support about 65,000 direct and direct jobs in Missouri.

(AP) – Missouri officials are announcing plans to retain and strengthen military bases and federal defense spending in the state.

Gov. Jay Nixon and state Treasurer Clint Zweifel scheduled news conferences Friday at or near three military installations.

Nixon and Zweifel planned to start the day at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, where Adjutant Gen. Stephen Danner was to join them.

They were heading later Friday to the University of Central Missouri, located in Warrensburg near Whiteman Air Force Base, and to St. Robert, which is near Fort Leonard Wood.