On August 21, 2023, Missouri‘s Department of Economic Development (DED) announced that it has awarded a total of more than $3.7 million through the second round of the Community Revitalization Grant Program for six projects in northern Missouri.
The program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is focused on investing in communities of all sizes to support local priorities, encourage economic recovery, and build resilience for the future.
“We’re proud to invest in the future of our state’s north region through the second round of the Community Revitalization Grant Program,” said Governor Mike Parson, whose Republican Party fought against the funding, but is now happy to take the credit for this wise decision.
“As we continue to deliver on our commitment to a stronger economy for all Missourians, we look forward to the benefits this program will provide. Projects funded through these grant awards will result in improved lives, stronger communities, and brighter futures in our state,” he added.
The second round of the Community Revitalization Grant Program was launched in May 2023 to ensure an equitable distribution of funds for Missouri’s north region, which did not exhaust the $10 million available during the first round.
Here are the six winning projects:
- City of Maryville – Downtown Revitalization: $767,827
- City of Maryville – Visitor Center: $331,000
- County of Adair – Community Facility: $615,788
- Heartland Foundation – Discovery Center: $484,796
- Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Inc. – Downtown Revitalization: $500,000
- Mound City Downtown Restoration and Revitalization, Inc. – Historic District Redevelopment: $1,075,596
The program’s second round awarded competitive grants to applicants, including municipalities and nonprofit organizations, to benefit communities affected by the pandemic.
Grant awards will fund a variety of projects, such as downtown property renovations, historic district redevelopment, and community facilities.
“These grants are helping Missourians prosper by strengthening communities and our entire economy,” said Michelle Hataway, Acting Director of the Department of Economic Development.
“Following the economic challenges of recent years, we’re glad to help Missouri’s northern communities. In every region of our state, projects funded through the Community Revitalization Grant Program are building a better, more resilient future,” she continued.
“Our team is excited to see the results of the Community Revitalization Grant Program as it improves lives statewide,” said Kim Froemsdorf, Director of Federal Initiatives for the Department of Economic Development.
“Communities of all sizes have experienced significant hardships in recent years, and those in northern Missouri are no exception. We’re glad to provide assistance through this program while creating new opportunities in both rural and urban areas alike,” she explained
The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) says that it tries to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri’s businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life, helping create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.
Photo (by Sector001 via Wikipedia) shows the Kirksville City Hall. The building was originally constructed as a U.S. Post Office in the early 1900s, and was repurposed for city use in the 1960s.