JEFFERSON CITY, Mo- The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) approved five communities for a total of $1,201,134 through the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program. These grants will help fund crucial infrastructure projects such as water systems and disaster recovery efforts.
The following have been approved under the CDBG:
- City of Arbyrd has been approved for $500,000
- City of Old Monroe has been approved for $57,446
- Pemiscot County on behalf of the Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital has been approved for $121,585
- Perry County has been approved for $22,103
- City of Russellville has been approved for $500,000
The City of Arbyrd is currently dealing with inflow and infiltration problems due to a wastewater system that has not been upgraded since its installation in 1984. The CDBG will help Arbyrd repair manholes and lift stations, repair and/or replace sewer lines and modify the existing lagoons to a non-discharge lagoon system with a spray field application system.
Excessive flows caused by the 2015/2016 winter floodwaters damaged the City of Old Monroe’s levee bank and the public road located on top of the levee. Old Monroe will use the CDBG funding to repair the damaged levee, protecting citizens, homeowners, and farmland from future flooding.
The Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital will utilize the funds to replace a non-repairable chiller system to ensure that the hospital is able to adequately provide the essential mechanical capabilities in order to remain viable as an Acute Care Hospital.
Perry County and the City of Perryville suffered damage by an ER-4 tornado that touched down on February 28, 2017. The city and the county lost numerous pieces of equipment, a sewer lift station, and suffered road damage. Debris collection and removal was a priority in the days following the tornado. During the cleanup process, the city and the county incurred costs for heavy equipment use and dumpster rental for the debris that could not be burned.
The City of Russellville's lagoon system was constructed in 1987 and no longer meets the required effluent ammonia limits. The city will use the grant to replace the existing three-cell lagoon system with a new treatment system. The new system will provide approximately 45,000 gallons of treatment volume and meet the required effluent ammonia limits.
The CDBG program, administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, provides grants and loan funds to cities with a population under 50,000 and counties under 200,000 to assist in a variety of public works and economic development projects.
For other community development programs, visit www.ded.mo.gov.
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