Proposed Foreign-Trade ZoneSpringfield, Missouri; Application and Public Hearing

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Docket 72-96]

Proposed Foreign-Trade Zone--Springfield, Missouri; Application

and Public Hearing

An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board

(the Board) by the City of Springfield Airport Board, on behalf of the

City of Springfield, Missouri, to establish a general-purpose foreign-

trade zone in Springfield, Missouri, within the Springfield Customs

port of entry. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions

of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the

regulations of the Board (15 CFR Part 400). It was formally filed on

October 4, 1996. The applicant is authorized to make the proposal under

Section 351.388 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

The proposed zone would encompass the Springfield-Branson Regional

Airport complex (2,363 acres) located some 5 miles northwest of

downtown Springfield. The complex includes an industrial park (Air

Centre) and fuel storage facilities. The Airport Board owns the airport

and it plans to serve as operator of the zone.

The application contains evidence of the need for zone services in

the Springfield area. Several firms have indicated an interest in using

zone procedures for warehousing/distribution of such items as

electronic components, exercise equipment, medical equipment, food

processing/manufacturing, and automobile parts and supplies. Specific

manufacturing approvals are not being sought at this time. Requests

would be made to the Board on a case-by-case basis.

In accordance with the Board's regulations, a member of the FTZ

Staff has been designated examiner to investigate the application and

report to the Board.

As part of the investigation, the Commerce examiner will hold a

public hearing on November 12, 1996, at 2:00 p.m., Springfield Area

Chamber of Commerce, 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield, Missouri

65806.

Public comment on the application is invited from interested

parties. Submissions (original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the

Board's Executive Secretary at the address below. The closing period

for their receipt is December 16, 1996. Rebuttal comments in response

to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted

during the subsequent 15-day period to January 2, 1997.

A copy of the application and accompanying exhibits will be

available during this time for public inspection at the following

locations:

Office of the Port Director, U.S. Customs Service, 5141 West Cargo,

Suite C, Springfield, MO 65803

Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room

3716, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,

Washington, DC 20230

Dated: October 10, 1996.

John J. Da Ponte, Jr.,

Executive Secretary.

[FR Doc. 96-26645 Filed 10-16-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P