The Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission, set up following the latest round of military base closings, exists to make Missouri a more military friendly state. And, it’s taking that message to military installations throughout the state.

Its most recent meeting, Tuesday in St. Joseph, heard a good deal of concern about how to make things better for military families in Missouri – something that could prevent Missouri from being harmed by a future round of base closings, realignment, or re-stationing.

Commission Chairman Dalton Wright says if there is another round of base closings, he and the panel want to be able to demonstrate that Missouri’s military facilities are serving the country and are comfortable homes for military personnel.

The economic impact of these installations is huge. Wright says it amounts to about $15-Billion a year. That includes not only the military personnel, but the spending by their families, civilian jobs on military installations, and jobs at civilian employers - like Boeing - manufacturing on behalf of the military.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)