Training Planned to Inform Emergency Responders About Chemical Suicide Hazards

ROLLA—On Aug. 18, 2010, the Watertown, S.D., Fire Department responded to a car with a person inside, parked along the interstate. A sign posted in the car warned of hydrogen sulfide, a deadly chemical sometimes used in chemical suicides. That was South Dakota, but similar situations are occurring around the world, including Missouri. . . . (more)

Homeland Security Committee Recommends, State Approves $317,000 in Grants
13 agencies to share funds

ST. JAMES—The competition for homeland security grant dollars in 2010 was tough. Some $305,000 were available, and some 23 agencies submitted over $800,000 in requests. It was not quite as bad as in 2008 when the requests topped $1.6 million. With some 2007 grant dollars unused, the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee was able to recommend 13 agencies for funding, at a total cost of $317,203. The State Homeland Security Advisory Committee (HSAC) approved those recommendations recently, making the awards official. . . . (more)

Midwest Assistance Program Explains Services to MRPC Board
MRPC Annual Dinner to be Nov. 9 in Osage County

ST. JAMES—The Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) with its 43 staff members in nine states is available to help local governments and organizations with water and waste water infrastructure needs and solutions, MAP Regional Director Dennis Siders told the MRPC board at its Aug. 12 meeting. The non-profit organization is based in New Prague, MN, and is funded through state and federal contracts and grant. . . . (more)

First Community National Bank Donates $10,000 to Regional Loan Fund  

ST. JAMES—First Community National Bank and the Perkins Family recently donated $10,000 to Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Meramec Regional Development Corporation (MRDC) to leverage additional funds for small business loans. . . . (more)

First Community National Bank and the Perkins Family recently donated $10,000 to Meramec Regional Planning Commission and Meramec Regional Development Corporation to recapitalize their Intermediary Relending Program. On hand for the check presentation was, from left, Connie Willman of MRPC, Todd Abolt of First Community National Bank, Mark Perkins of First Community Bank, Richard Cavender of MRPC, Scott Perkins of First Community National Bank and Bonnie Prigge of MRPC.

Foam Training Classes Planned for Firefighters in Region

Two free foam response trainings are planned in the Meramec Region in August and September, and firefighters in the Meramec Region are encouraged to attend. Trainings are planned: . . . (more)

Community Foundation Welcomes 42nd Affiliate

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks welcomes the Meramec Regional Community Foundation as its 42 nd affiliate across central and southern Missouri and the first collaboration with an existing regional planning commission to create a charitable foundation. . . . (more)

Regional Loan Board Honors Outgoing Members, Welcomes New Members
Re-elects officers

ST. JAMES—The board of Meramec Regional Development Corporation, a regional loan board that offers SBA and revolving fund loans, honored five outgoing board members for their service and welcomed three new members, during the group's meeting on June 16. Outgoing members, who were recognized, included: . . . (more)

Mark Your Calendar!
Waste Tire, Appliance, Electronics Collection Planned
in Gasconade, Pulaski, Phelps, Maries, Dent Counties  

Do you have an old refrigerator or broken-down washer on the back porch or in the back yard? Do you have old tires beside the garage? Wondering what to do with that old computer? There’s finally an answer. . . . (more)

Enhanced Enterprise Zone Approved for Osage County

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced approval of Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) designation for Osage County. This designation, signed May 26, 2010, will allow county officials to continue to move forward with economic development efforts. Osage County becomes the 84 th zone in the state. . . . (more)

Solid Waste Board Accepting Grant Applications
Pre-application workshop planned Aug. 17 at MRPC

ST. JAMES—The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District is now accepting applications for its 2011 grant program. The district has an estimated $150,000 available for district grants this year. . . . (more)

16 Local Leaders Attend Elected Officials Workshop at MRPC

ST. JAMES—When the election is over and the successful candidates take office, some realize that local government is more complex than realized or anticipated—especially when it comes to responsibilities. To help newly elected officials begin to understand some of those responsibilities—and to help refresh veteran officials—the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, in cooperation with the Missouri Municipal League, hosted its Annual Elected Officials Workshop June 23 at MRPC's St. James office. . . . (more)

Solid Waste District Distributes Alcoa Recycling Bins to Eight Schools

ST. JAMES— The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has distributed some 85 paper recycling bins to schools in the seven-county district. The bins were made available to the solid waste district for the past two years by the Missouri Recycling Association through a grant from Alcoa, In. Letters were sent to schools in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. “The only requirement is that the recipient track the volume of materials recycled with the bins and provide a report at the end of the year,” said Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager for Meramec Regional Planning Commission. MRPC serves as the program administrator for the Ozark Rivers District. . . . (more) Left: Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC Environmental Programs Manager displays the recycle bins.

Enhanced Enterprise Zone Approved for Maries County

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced approval of Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) designation for Maries County. This designation, signed May 10, 2010, will allow county officials to continue to move forward with economic development efforts. Maries County becomes the 80 th zone in the state. . . . (more)

Osage County Presiding Commissioner Elected Chairperson of MRPC
Hears presentation on engineering management class

ST. JAMES—Osage County Presiding Commissioner Russell Scheulen was elected chairperson of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission during its May meeting. Scheulen, who formerly served as vice chairman, replaces Laura Antolak of Rolla, who had served two terms as chair, the most allowed by MRPC bylaws. . . . (more)

Newly elected MRPC Chairman Russell Scheulen of Osage County, left, presents an engraved gavel to outgoing Chairman Laura Antolak, who served two years as MRPC chairman, the maximum allowed under MRPC’s bylaws. Scheulen, who served two terms as vice chairman, will assume the chairmanship at the June meeting.

Bourbon First Graders Tour Rolla Recycling Center
Learn about solid waste issues

Rolla High School Tour Rolla Recycling Center, Transfer Station
Learn about solid waste issues

Over 100 students in Dwight Warnke’s Biology II classes at Rolla High School recently toured the Rolla Recycling Center and Phelps County Transfer Station. The tour was funded by the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District through a USDA Awareness to Action grant. The program strives to educate students and adults about solid waste issues and asks them to take action to address environmental issues, like illegal dumping. . . . (more)

Marcia Mayo of the Rolla Recycling Center discusses recycling with Rolla High School students during a tour of the facility. Baled plastics can be seen in the background.	Brady Wilson, director of the Rolla Environmental Services Department, explains how a transfer station operates to Rolla High School students during a tour of the Phelps County Transfer Station.

Sullivan High School Students Tour Landfill
Learn about solid waste issues

Thirty-eight Sullivan High School students—along with teacher Charlotte Parnell—recently toured the IESI Timber Ridge Landfill at Richwoods. The tour was funded by the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District through a USDA Awareness to Action grant. The program strives to educate students and adults about solid waste issues and asks them to take action to address environmental issues, like illegal dumping. The local solid waste district still has funds to assist with educational tours for schools. For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993 or email nongluk@meramecregion.org. . . . (more)

Kingston K-14 Ninth Graders Tour Transfer Station
Learn about solid waste issues

Teachers Elizabeth Dyer and Alex McCaul and 44 ninth graders from Kingston K-14 recently toured the Rolla Recycling Center and Phelps County Transfer Station. The tour was funded by the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District through a USDA Awareness to Action grant. The program strives to educate students and adults about solid waste issues and asks them to take action to address environmental issues, like illegal dumping. Earlier in the year, the Kingston ninth graders participated in a virtual tour of single stream recycling provided by Gary Gilliam of Resource Management. Gilliam is also an Ozark Rivers board member. The local solid waste district still has funds to assist with educational tours for schools. For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993 or email nongluk@meramecregion.org. . . . (more)

Freedom Elementary Third Graders Tour Landfill
Learn about solid waste issues

Teacher Amy Schultz and 26 third graders from Freedom Elementary in Waynesville recently toured the Prairie Valley Landfill near Cuba. The tour was funded by the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District through a USDA Awareness to Action grant. The program strives to educate students and adults about solid waste issues and asks them to take action to address environmental issues, like illegal dumping. The local solid waste district still has funds to assist with educational tours for schools. For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993 or email nongluk@meramecregion.org. . . . (more)

Renovations Completed on Owensville Senior Citizen Homes
Work funded by grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

OWENSVILLE— For the most part, 2009 was a year of change and a year of improvements for the Owensville Senior Citizen Homes. . . . (more)

Solid Waste District Announces Winners in Earth Day Poster, Trash Art Contest

ST. JAMES—Forty-one students were honored for their entries in the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District's 2010 Earth Day Poster and Trash Art Contest. Some 869 entries—759 posters and 110 trash art creations—were received from 16 schools in Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, and Pulaski counties. . . . (more)

Local Senior Multi-Family Rental Housing
to Benefit From $1.7 Million in State Rehab Funding
Area nonprofit funded to continue home renovation efforts

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) announced earlier this month that several projects in the Meramec Region, which were in an area of the state affected by weather related disasters during 2008, have been approved for supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. . . . (more)

Draft of Crawford County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Available
for Public Review

The draft update of the Crawford County Hazard Mitigation Plan is now available on the web for public review. Meramec Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with Crawford County, has been updating the 2005 plan. Public meetings were held with city and county officials, school leaders, emergency management agencies and interested individuals. . . . (more)

Homeowners Needed for New Home Renovation Grants
$66,000 set aside for homes in Hermann

Homeowners in the region who are interested in having their homes considered for housing renovations should contact Meramec Regional Planning Commission, announced Wayne Langston, president of the Meramec Community Enhancement Corp. (MCEC) . . . (more)

MRPC Approves Formation of a Regional Foundation
Learns that Highway 63 ranked second at statewide prioritization meeting  

ST. JAMES—Meeting March 11, the board of Meramec Regional Planning Commission, after hearing an implementation strategy from Executive Director Richard Cavender, voted to establish a regional foundation and donate $30,000 to start the effort. . . . (more)

MRPC, Emergency Planning Committee Oppose Changes in Spill Bill
SB 680 would put greater responsibility for hazardous materials spills
on local governments, fire departments  

ST. JAMES—Both the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee have gone on record in opposition to Senate Bill 680, sponsored by Sen. Jason Crowell, which would change laws governing hazardous material spills. . . . (more)

Rolla, St. Robert Suspend Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Services

Due to contractor issues, the cities of Rolla and St. Robert have stopped accepting household hazardous waste until further notice. . . . (more)

Transportation Planning Important During Tight Budget Times
By Richard Cavender, Executive Director - Meramec Regional Planning Commission

You would think that as transportation construction dollars “dry up,” there would be less need to plan projects and prioritize transportation needs. But with the number of needs continuing to grow and the dollars to address them shrinking, the need to select the ones that are needed the most becomes even more important. This is better done at the local level than by the state transportation planners. MoDOT recognizes the importance of local input, and that is why they partnered with each rural regional planning commission in Missouri to provide a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) that will identify and prioritize transportation needs in their region.. . . (more)

Irondale Conducting Income Survey for Proposed Water System Improvements

IRONDALE—Some 174 residents living in Irondale are receiving income surveys from the city in an effort to determine and document the area's eligibility to apply for a state Community Development Block Grant to install a new water distribution system, including new meters, new controls and a new water storage tank. Residents are asked to complete the survey and return by March 15. A stamped envelope was included with each survey for easy return. . . . (more)

Funds Available to Help Those Who are Homeless or Nearly Homeless

Persons in Crawford, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties who have no place to live or in jeopardy of losing their home may be eligible for rental assistance and other services through a new program funded with federal stimulus dollars. . . . (more)

MRPC Goes on Record in Support of HB 1995
Legislation would provide emergency preparedness funding for schools within
10-mile nuclear emergency planning zone  

ST. JAMES—Meeting Feb. 11, the board of Meramec Regional Planning Commission voted to support House Bill 1995 and provide a letter in support of the legislation, which is sponsored by Rep. Tom Loehner and co-sponsored by Rep. Charlie Schlottach. . . . (more)

MRPC to Consider Forming Community Foundation
Group, area nonprofits could partner with Community Foundation of the Ozarks

ST. JAMES—The board of Meramec Regional Planning Commission took action to further explore establishing a regional community foundation after hearing a proposal from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, a Springfield-based public foundation serving the Missouri Ozarks. The board, meeting Feb. 11 in regular session, agreed to having staff to research the opportunity and outline a plan for implementing the concept of a community foundation on a regional basis. . . . (more)

MRPC Delivers Region’s State Priorities Report to the Capitol

Each year, the board of Meramec Regional Planning Commission identifies the top issues for the upcoming legislative session and delivers them to the region’s delegation of senators and representatives. MRPC board members and staff spent Feb. 2 at the Missouri State Capitol, discussing those state priorities with senators and representatives. Here, MRPC Chairman Laura Antolak, left, and MRPC Executive Director Richard Cavender discuss issues impacting the region with State Representative Tom Loehner of Osage County. MRPC was able to meet with the region’s entire delegation—two senators and 10 representatives. . . . (more)

Credit, Budgeting Workshops Planned in Leasburg, St. James

ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Planning Commission, in cooperation with the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation and the Phelps County PHA Family Self-Sufficiency Program, will host two free workshops on credit and budgeting in the Crawford and Phelps County areas. . . .(more)

MCEC and Senior Apartments in Steelville, Bourbon, St. Clair, Awarded
$1.6 Million In Grant Funds for Renovations
Contractors needed for projects

ST. JAMES— Five area nonprofit boards —four of whom operate senior citizen apartments—have been selected to receive a total of $1.6 million in grant funds to renovate a total of 228 units. . . . (more)

Transportation Committee Prioritizes Highway 63 Segments
Phelps County section ranks #1 followed by northern Osage County section

ST. JAMES—Should the Missouri Department of Transportation receive funding for the four-laning of Highway 63, what sections should be improved first? Meramec Region’s Transportation Advisory Committee has an answer. In August, Mike Dusenberg of MoDOT District 5 office asked the TAC to make recommendations on where the four-lane work should start, if funding was forthcoming. After studying the issue for four months and consulting transportation users in the region, the group prioritized the seven sections of Highway 63 during its regular meeting on Dec. 10. . . . (more)

Solid Waste District Honors Six for Recycling, Solid Waste Accomplishments

ST. JAMES— The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District presented six awards during its annual meeting on Dec. 1, 2009, at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission in St. James. Each year, the Ozark Rivers District recognizes companies and individuals that are helping the district meet its 40-percent reduction goal and to showcase them as models for others to follow. . . . (more)

George Barnitz Receives MRPC’s Highest Volunteer Award
MRPC celebrates 40 years of service  

To his surprise, George Barnitz was honored with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s highest volunteer award—the Eugene E. Northern award—during its 2009 Annual Dinner, held Nov. 9, 2009, at the Havener Center on the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus, Rolla. . . . (more)

Regional Loan Board Honors Phelps County Bank

ST. JAMES—Meramec Regional Development Corp., the regional loan board that offers Small Business Administration, presented its 2009 Lender of the Year award to Phelp County Bank. MRDC Chairman Tom Klebba presented the award to David Connell, senior vice president of Phelps County Bank, at Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s Annual Dinner Nov. 9 at the Havener Center in Rolla. . . (more)

State Approves St. James’ Request for EEZ Designation

ST. JAMES—The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced approval of Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) designation for the city of St. James, making it the 67 th zone in the state. The zone was officially approved Oct. 13, 2009. This designation will allow the city to offer a local incentive along with the opportunity for state tax credits to qualifying companies that locate and expand within the zone. Lewis County was recently approved for an EEZ also, for a total of 68 zones in the state. . . . (more)

Ozark Rivers District Awards $183,000 Worth of Grants

ST. JAMES— The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District awarded 11 grants, totaling $183,645, during its quarterly meeting Sept. 22, Chairman Scott Murrell announced. Thirteen grant requests, totaling some $211,980, were submitted. . . (more)

Transportation Committee to Prioritize Highway 63 Segments
Committee elects Dodd, Jost as new co-chairs

ST. JAMES—Should the Missouri Department of Transportation receive funding for the four-laning of Highway 63, what sections should be improved first? That was the question posed to the Meramec Region’s Transportation Advisory Committee during the group’s August meeting. Mike Dusenberg of MoDOT District 5 office told the TAC that the Environmental Improvement Study was awaiting comments from the Federal Highway Administration. The study broke Highway 63 into seven sections with a price tag of $185.2 million for right-of-way acquisition, construction and stream mitigation activities associated with four-laning the 44.5 mile stretch from Highway 50—near the Mari-Osa Delta—to Rolla in Phelps County. . . (more)

Pulaski County Growth Alliance Hires Wayne Morgan
to Lead Economic Development Effort

Pulaski County—The Pulaski County Growth Alliance has hired Wayne Morgan of Lake Ozark, MO., to serve as its first economic development director, President Bill Ransdall announced on Thursday. . . . (more)

Laura Antolak Re-Elected Chairperson of MRPC
Hears presentation from Missouri Community Betterment

ST. JAMES—Laura Antolak, at-large commissioner for small business, was re-elected chairperson of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission during its May meeting. Antolak represents small business on the MRPC board. . . . (more)

Clean Up of Illegal Dump on Wild Cat Road Under Way

BLAND—Gasconade County commissioners, road crew workers, volunteers and staff from Meramec Regional Planning Commission joined forces on April 17 to begin the clean up of an illegal dump along Wild Cat Road near Bland. The county provided heavy equipment—dump trucks, a back hoe with front-end loader, a grader and a skid loader—along with operators while MRPC provided trash bags, snacks and other items. The goal for the April 17 clean up was to remove all the bigger items. After three hours of work, the group had loaded two truckloads of metal and 21 tires and bagged 14 large bags of trash. Volunteers and community service workers will continue bagging trash until the site is clean. . . . (more)

Region I Purchases Satellite Phones for Counties  

ST. JAMES—Region I counties—Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Laclede counties—now have another means of communicating during emergency situations—especially a natural disaster that may render other communications devises useless. . . . (more)

Regional Loan Programs Keeping Jobs, Private Investment in Rolla
Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce donates to loan fund

ST. JAMES—It only took 18 months to loan $625,000 to area businesses, and now Meramec Regional Planning Commission and its lending arm, the Meramec Regional Development Corp. are looking for ways to recapitalize the fund so they can continue to help businesses in the Meramec Region grow. . . . (more)

Thinking About A Construction Or Renovation Project In Phelps County?
You May Need A Floodplain Development Permit

PHELPS COUNTY–Phelps County does not have a building codes program that requires a permit. However, you may need a floodplain development permit, if you are planning construction or substantial improvements to a structure located in a floodplain within Phelps County, said Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp. This also includes rehab work to homes that have been flooded. . . (more)