Callaway business organizations support FSH funding

A day after the Fulton City Council approved a resolution in support of funding for a new psychiatric facility at Fulton State Hospital, the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors did the same, according to a press release from the Chamber of Commerce.

"Fulton State Hospital is the only maximum security psychiatric facility in the state, and plays a vital public safety role for law enforcement agencies across Missouri. It's also an economic anchor of this region, employing more than 1,200 folks here in mid-Missouri," Bruce Hackmann, FADC director, stated in a press release. "Ensuring that these Missourians continue to have a good job that keeps all of us safe is critically important. Not to mention the additional 2,500 new jobs that would result from a construction project of this scale would be a boost to local communities and area businesses."

On Dec. 10, Nixon held a press conference at Fulton State Hospital stating he was releasing withheld funding to go forward with the planning and development on a new high- and medium-security facility within the hospital, and planned to recommend appropriating bonds to complete the project in his 2015 budget. The announcement drew bipartisan support from several state legislatures, including State Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane.