‘Press Releases’ Category

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Service to Knoxville will begin in June 2024

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) today announced that Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is adding new, nonstop service between the Mascoutah, Ill.-based airport and McGhee Tyson Airport in Acola, Tenn. (TYS), providing individuals with direct access to Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains. Beginning June 13, flights between the two airports will be offered twice weekly – on Sundays and Thursdays. The new route marks the only nonstop service currently available between St. Louis and Knoxville.

“Knoxville is a terrific complement to the other existing low-cost flights offered by Allegiant out of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, and we’re confident passengers will appreciate the added choice as much as they appreciate the hassle-free experience of flying from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport,” said St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern.

The new route between BLV and TYS will be the 11th nonstop destination currently available via MidAmerica St. Louis Airport and the first destination in Tennessee offered by Allegiant from the St. Louis region. Other nonstop destinations currently served by Allegiant out of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport include Ft. Lauderdale, Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Jacksonville, Sanford/Orlando, Sarasota/Bradenton, Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers and St. Pete/Tampa in Florida, as well as the destinations of Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Savannah, Ga.

“The new service to Knoxville is a great addition to the routes currently available,” said Darren James, director of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. “We know area travelers will enjoy having a friendly, low-cost, convenient option for travel to the city of Knoxville and Great Smoky Mountain National Park.” Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found at flyMidAmerica.com or AllegiantAir.com.

About MidAmerica St. Louis Airport

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport is located in Mascoutah, Illinois, in the eastern portion of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Passenger service to a variety of popular destinations is offered by Allegiant. Major multimodal rail and inland port centers are located within 22 miles of the airport, which also enjoys easy access to five interstate highways via I-64. With parallel runways of 8,000 and 10,000 feet, the airport can handle simultaneous take-offs and landings in all conditions, minimizing delays. It has an annual capacity of 200,000 operations. Tenants include Boeing, which has a manufacturing facility at the airport and North Bay Produce, an international, grower-owned, year-round, fresh produce marketing and distribution cooperative headquartered in Traverse City, Mich. MidAmerica is a Joint Use Airport partnering with Scott AFB, the home to US Transportation Command, a multi service organization, and Air Mobility Command, the USAF’s component command for airlift. MidAmerica and the 375th Air Mobility Wing operate Scott AFB/MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.

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Contact:

Pamela Powell

314-436-9090

Partners will be handing out Valentine treats to current riders on Feb. 14 and are offering Free Monthly Transit Passes for First-Time Transit Users

WHO: Representatives of Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), Metro Transit and St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), and hundreds of morning commuters

WHAT: Effort to thank current transit riders, while encouraging them to help friends, family members and coworkers who currently commute by driving get better acquainted with MetroLink and MetroBus

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Select Metro Transit locations, including: –

• • North Hanley Transit Center, 4300 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63134
  • Cortex MetroLink Station, located at 270 Duncan Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110
  • Central West End Transit Center, 410 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110
  • Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 Transit Center, 7201 Lansdowne Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119
  • Belleville Transit Center, 800 Scheel Street, Belleville, IL 62221**
  • 5th & Missouri Transit Center, 150 N. 6th St., East St. Louis, IL 62201
  • **Spokespersons will be available at the Shrewsbury-Lansdowne 1-44 Transit Center

SIGNIFICANCE:

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) – in conjunction with Metro Transit and St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) – is encouraging motorists to get better acquainted with MetroLink and MetroBus this month through its “Match with Metro Transit” campaign. Those new to the public transit scene can get a free monthly transit pass for their school or workday commute during the month of March by registering before Thursday, Feb. 29, at www.cmt-stl.org. March passes are available to the first 250 individuals who register. Current riders will also receive a free, limited-edition, transit T-shirt if they get a new rider to register. Street teams will be at six Metro Transit locations during the morning commute on Valentine’s Day, handing out valentines and candy to thank riders and educate them about this effort. Taking MetroLink and MetroBus is convenient and cost-effective. It can also save commuters money on gas, parking and vehicle wear and tear. According to the American Public Transit Association, a two-person household can save as much as $10,000 annually by downsizing to one car and using public transit.

“Match With Metro Transit” is part of the partnering organizations’ ongoing efforts to interact with riders, strengthen relationships and reinforce their collective commitment to a safe, comfortable, customer-focused transit experience. To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Feb. 8, 2024) … Findings of a six-month study commissioned to quantify the economic impact of public transit services in the state of Missouri were released yesterday during a panel discussion hosted by Citizens for Modern Transit’s (CMT) and the Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA). More than 60 CMT and MPTA members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others attended the virtual forum, underscoring why transit matters to Missouri and state investment must be a priority. To view the discussion in its entirety, visit www.cmt-stl.org or www.mopublictransit.org.

Those in attendance first heard from Robert M. Lewis, FAICP, CEcD, the independent consultant and assistant professor of Urban Planning & Development at Saint Louis University who led the “2023 Economic Impact of Public Transit in Missouri” study. He outlined how data was collected and conclusions were made, before presenting the statewide impacts of public transit, as well as information on how transit influences urban and rural areas of the state and the respective economies.

Overall highlights of the study as it relates to accessibility, employment and economic impacts and are as follows:

• There are 32 transit providers in Missouri that collectively promote personal mobility in every single county by providing a total of 40.1 million rides annually. For some, transit is the sole means by which they can gain access to work, school, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores and other needed goods and services. Others have personal vehicles but like to use public transit because it offers a safer, more cost-effective and convenient means for getting to places for work or play.

• Transit gets thousands of Missourians to and from their place of employment every day. It also directly employs more than 3,800 individuals, with an annual average salary of $86,400, and indirectly adds more than 22,000 jobs to the state each year.

• Transit yields an overall economic impact of $4.05 billion annually, including $481 million in spending by transit riders. Over the last five years, transit agencies spent an average of $401 million annually on capital investments. The state government collects an estimated average of $51 million in annual taxes because of the direct and multiplier effects of transit.

Economic Impact of Public Transit in Missouri

Hyper-local numbers are also outlined in the report, including the economic impact of public transit in Greene County via City Utilities of Springfield’s service area. City Utilities Transit employs 65 individuals and provides 1,009,000 rides each year. The direct annual spending of those riders is $7.9 million, with another $12.1 million attributable to their in-direct spending. The total economic impact of City Utilities of Springfield is $48.3 million each year.

Kimberly Cella, the executive director of both CMT and MPTA, who served as the moderator for the event noted, “Transit is undoubtedly delivering for Missouri. The impacts extend beyond the ride, and it is imperative that continued investment is made by the Missouri legislature.”

Cella went to on to explain that transit systems across the nation receive approximately 40% of their annual operating budgets from their respective states, but this is not the case in Missouri. Despite significant wins in recent years – including the 2023 investment by the state of Missouri that represented a 34% increase over 2022 and a more than 580% increase since 2021 – Missouri is still trailing other states. In fact, transit providers across Missouri get less than 3% of their annual operating budgets from the state. “More must be done, and Governor Parson proactively including $11.7 million for transit in this year’s recommended state budget – which maintains the 2023 investment level – is a solid start,” Cella stated.

The forum concluded with a panel of stakeholders – including Adam Kazda, Vice-President of Government Relations with Greater St. Louis, Inc.; Frank White, CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; and Denny Ward, Executive Director of Southeast Missouri Transportation Service – weighed in on the findings, before the forum opened up for questions from attendees.

After the forum was over, Matt Crawford, Director of Transit at City Utilities of Springfield commented, “I believe this helps tell the story of the value of public transportation in Springfield. This insight is crucial as we make decisions regarding our service in the near future.”
The complete “Economic Impact of Public Transit in Missouri” report, which includes service area specific information, can be accessed at www.cmt-stl.org or www.mopublictransit.org.

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.

Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) was established in 1980 as a Missouri non-profit corporation. It was formed to provide a unified voice for public and specialized transportation providers in Missouri and to work toward elevating the status of public transit as a national priority.

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For more information, contact: 

Kelly Harris 

(314)436-9090 

kelly@hausergrouppr.com 

City Utilities of Springfield’s Service Area Contributes $48.3 Million to this Total

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Feb. 8, 2024) … Findings of a six-month study commissioned to quantify the economic impact of public transit services in the state of Missouri were released yesterday during a panel discussion hosted by Citizens for Modern Transit’s (CMT) and the Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA). More than 60 CMT and MPTA members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others attended the virtual forum, underscoring why transit matters to Missouri and state investment must be a priority. To view the discussion in its entirety, visit www.cmt-stl.org or www.mopublictransit.org.

Those in attendance first heard from Robert M. Lewis, FAICP, CEcD, the independent consultant and assistant professor of Urban Planning & Development at Saint Louis University who led the “2023 Economic Impact of Public Transit in Missouri” study. He outlined how data was collected and conclusions were made, before presenting the statewide impacts of public transit, as well as information on how transit influences urban and rural areas of the state and the respective economies.

Overall highlights of the study as it relates to accessibility, employment and economic impacts and are as follows:

• There are 32 transit providers in Missouri that collectively promote personal mobility in every single county by providing a total of 40.1 million rides annually. For some, transit is the sole means by which they can gain access to work, school, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores and other needed goods and services. Others have personal vehicles but like to use public transit because it offers a safer, more cost-effective and convenient means for getting to places for work or play.
• Transit gets thousands of Missourians to and from their place of employment every day. It also directly employs more than 3,800 individuals, with an annual average salary of $86,400, and indirectly adds more than 22,000 jobs to the state each year.
• Transit yields an overall economic impact of $4.05 billion annually, including $481 million in spending by transit riders. Over the last five years, transit agencies spent an average of $401 million annually on capital investments. The state government collects an estimated average of $51 million in annual taxes because of the direct and multiplier effects of transit.

Economic Impact of Public Transit in Missouri

First and Final Add

Hyper-local numbers are also outlined in the report, including the economic impact of public transit in Greene County via City Utilities of Springfield’s service area. City Utilities Transit employs 65 individuals and provides 1,009,000 rides each year. The direct annual spending of those riders is $7.9 million, with another $12.1 million attributable to their in-direct spending. The total economic impact of City Utilities of Springfield is $48.3 million each year.

Kimberly Cella, the executive director of both CMT and MPTA, who served as the moderator for the event noted, “Transit is undoubtedly delivering for Missouri. The impacts extend beyond the ride, and it is imperative that continued investment is made by the Missouri legislature.”

Cella went to on to explain that transit systems across the nation receive approximately 40% of their annual operating budgets from their respective states, but this is not the case in Missouri. Despite significant wins in recent years – including the 2023 investment by the state of Missouri that represented a 34% increase over 2022 and a more than 580% increase since 2021 – Missouri is still trailing other states. In fact, transit providers across Missouri get less than 3% of their annual operating budgets from the state. “More must be done, and Governor Parson proactively including $11.7 million for transit in this year’s recommended state budget – which maintains the 2023 investment level – is a solid start,” Cella stated.

The forum concluded with a panel of stakeholders – including Adam Kazda, Vice-President of Government Relations with Greater St. Louis, Inc.; Frank White, CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; and Denny Ward, Executive Director of Southeast Missouri Transportation Service – weighed in on the findings, before the forum opened up for questions from attendees.

After the forum was over, Matt Crawford, Director of Transit at City Utilities of Springfield commented, “I believe this helps tell the story of the value of public transportation in Springfield. This insight is crucial as we make decisions regarding our service in the near future.”

The complete “Economic Impact of Public Transit in Missouri” report, which includes service area specific information, can be accessed at www.cmt-stl.org or www.mopublictransit.org.

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.

Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) was established in 1980 as a Missouri non-profit corporation. It was formed to provide a unified voice for public and specialized transportation providers in Missouri and to work toward elevating the status of public transit as a national priority.

# # #

For more information, contact: 

Kelly Harris 

(314)436-9090 

kelly@hausergrouppr.com

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month and Delta Dental of Missouri’s popular, award-winning Land of Smiles® dental education program is on the road, taking the crusade for healthy teeth to more than 18,400 youngsters at 77 schools across the state in the coming weeks. The cast of dynamic superhero characters made their most recent stop in Clayton for a performance at Glenridge Elementary School, teaching good dental health habits to 105 students in kindergarten through third-grade.

The Land of Smiles® experience follows superhero Captain Super Grin® as he defeats his nemesis, Caz CavitySM, with help from his sidekicks Terri Tooth FairySM and ToothpickSM. Students learn the importance of brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, using mouthwash, eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist regularly. The program includes an oral health curriculum that adheres to National Health Education Standards, as well as standards for Missouri. It contains engaging, age-appropriate materials to make learning about dental health entertaining for kids and includes activity sheets, which are also available in Spanish. Delta Dental of Missouri also offers free “smile bags” to schools for students who participate in the program. Each bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss to help students practice the good oral health habits they learn. A newly created short video, which recaps important oral health tips the program teaches children in schools, is now available for caregivers and can be found at https://www.landofsmilesmo.org/parent-caregiver-information.

“Our lively Land of Smiles show makes learning about dental health truly fun for kids, but most importantly, it’s memorable,” said Stacy Harris, supervisor of community outreach at Delta Dental of Missouri. “Pre- and post-show testing demonstrates that, on average, students show a nearly 30% increase in their good oral health behavior and knowledge after seeing a performance. That’s the positive outcome we all want.”

Since its inception in the fall of 2002, the Delta Dental of Missouri’s Land of Smiles® program has taught more than 1.2 million kids how to take care of their growing smiles through more than 6,000 onsite and virtual performances at schools in 113 Missouri counties. At least 25% of schools receiving the program have more than 80% of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. The Land of Smiles® experience is provided free of charge to schools, courtesy of Delta Dental of Missouri.

Local teachers, school nurses and principals are invited to visit www.LandofSmilesMO.org to request the in-person program or the online program on a date and time that works for their students.

About Delta Dental of Missouri
Delta Dental of Missouri is the state’s leading dental benefits provider and a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. It provides more than 2.1 million members with access to affordable, high-quality dental care through group plans tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses with two or more employees. Delta Dental also offers dental benefit plans directly to individuals and families. It also provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care through group vision benefit plans. The company proudly supports oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that help educate people about the importance of dental health and provide free dental care to those in need. Delta Dental of Missouri also created the Missouri Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalMO.com/ResourceGuide1. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalMO.com.

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For more information, contact:
Kelly Harris
(314)436-9090
kelly@hausergrouppr.com 

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Columbia, Mo (Feb. 5, 2024) – For the 2023/2024 college athletic season, UScellular is partnering with three prominent Mizzou student-athletes on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals. UScellular’s Official Sponsor of Timeouts campaign emphasizes the value of authentic connections over constant digital engagement and is led by student-athletes, Noah Carter (basketball), Julia Crenshaw (softball) and Keegan O’Toole (wrestling).

The NIL relationship with these student-athletes draws attention to the company’s Built for US brand campaign using the theme, Official Sponsor of Timeouts. The program includes student athletes’ sharing videos and still photos on their social media channels. The content calls attention to healthier digital habits, including themes of taking a timeout for people and passions that are most important to them. In addition, in-person appearances from each athlete will take place throughout the UScellular footprint. The athletes can found on Instagram at @noah3carter, @julia.crenshaw and @keeganotoole165.

“NIL partnerships provide UScellular a unique opportunity to create a program that aligns to its values and gives a platform for student-athletes to tell their individual stories,” says Mike Burwell, Director of Sales and Operations for UScellular in Missouri and Illinois. “While using technology can help us feel connected when watching a game, it shouldn’t be a distraction that keeps us from enjoying the experience. As the Official Sponsor of Timeouts, we’re encouraging everyone to focus on the game and life experiences with the people who matter most.”

The company is working with 23 student-athletes at eight universities, including University of Illinois, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Maine, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, West Virginia University and University of Wisconsin. The athletes compete in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, gymnastics, ice hockey, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling. Fans can get in on the action by following UScellular social media accounts or the student-athletes’ Instagram, TikTok or YouTube accounts.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.

For more information, contact: Kelly Harris at 314-436-9090 or Kelly@HauserGroupPR.com