(Park HIlls, MO.) St. Francois County officials are looking ahead to the future after today's State of the County address. The event was hosted by the Park HIlls Leadington Chamber of Commerce in the Central School District auditorium. The keynote speaker was Presiding Commissioner, Harold Gallaher. Gallaher told the crowd there is growth happening in the county and it's for various reasons.
According to Gallaher much of the growth in the southern areas of the county is coming from the fact that people are so familiar with the area and do a lot of business here already, so when they look for a new home it tends to be in St. Francois County. Gallaher also talked about fewer county employees, with better efficiency, and they're getting more work done. At the end of his speech Gallaher introduced Associate Commissioner, Patrick Mullins. Mullins told the crowd he's announcing the first ever St. Francois County Park. It's the new Owl Creek Park. The park sits on the old Bone Hole location west of Desloge. The park will be 146 acres. It will feature walking trails and much more and it's being billed as a new family recreational destination in the Parkland. KFMO B104 News was on hand for a live broadcast of the 3rd Annual St. Francois County State of the County Address.