Local leaders head to the nation’s capital next week to talk with the Missouri delegation about local concerns, including support for the Airlift Wing, the importance of funding improvements to area river levees, and highlighting the growth of our agricultural-related exports in St. Joseph.

For the 17th straight year, business and community leaders from St. Joseph will travel to Washington, D.C., to lobby on behalf of St. Joseph residents. Twenty-five delegates from local business, government and community groups will make the trip this year on March 17 and 18.

Each year, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Committee and the Community Alliance of Saint Joseph meet to discuss legislative priorities on the local, state and federal levels. The federal issues are brought to the attention of federal legislators and their staff members on this trip.

The delegation will speak about the importance of the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard in St. Joseph. Members will also discuss Missouri River levees, transportation needs and issues interest to St. Joseph businesses. The group will meet with Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt and with Congressman Sam Graves.

“The Fly-In gives us a chance to communicate St. Joseph’s legislative priorities to our elected officials and their staff members,” said R. Patt Lilly, President & CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

“Speaking with one voice as a community has allowed us to send a powerful message to Washington, D.C. over the years, resulting in funding and support of a number of projects and initiatives benefiting residents. We will again be discussing support for the Missouri Air National Guard Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, the importance of funding improvements to area river levees and highlighting the growth of our agricultural-related exports in St. Joseph.”