For immediate release
For more information, contact
Kelly Sink
or
Caitlin Jones
META— The city of Meta has been awarded a $381,377 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
The grant will used to make stormwater improvements to Second Street, Third Street, Fourth Street, Sixth Street, Schriefer Street and a railroad ditch west of city hall. The city used Bartlett & West to survey the city’s street drainage system and determine the greatest needs for improving the system. The firm identified six locations with significant drainage needs and recommended a culvert replacement and storm sewer program with grading and cleanouts. In addition, it recommended replacement of a retaining wall that has been eroded due to continued stormwater damage. The city will replace undersized culverts with larger ones to better convey stormwaters and complete grading and erosion control.
“The City of Meta is grateful for the opportunity to improve the city’s stormwater with the receipt of the CDBG grant,” Meta Mayor Emily Sommerer said. “The impact of the grant allows the city to clear up many of the clogged culverts and roadways that tend to cause issues with drainage. The improvements will positively impact the city in allowing for proper drainage to extend the life of roadways and drainage systems in the future. We are looking forward to improving the appearance and functions of the City of Meta.”
Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) prepared the grant request and will administer the grant on behalf of the city of Meta. The total cost of the project is $444,298. The city of Meta is contributing $60,787 in cash match and $7,4500 in-kind match on top of the CDBG grant funds.
CDBG grants support the well-being of Missouri’s communities and increase their capacity for growth. Grants are available in several categories and can be utilized for a variety of community development initiatives and needs.
Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Missouri Department of Economic Development handles Missouri’s allocation of CDBG funds and offers them on a competitive basis to cities, counties and other qualifying entities outside entitlement areas, that receive direct CDBG funds.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 33 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
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