JEFFERSON CITY – Several area communities within Dunklin County in southeast Missouri, represented by State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, are recipients of grants or loans designed to improve public safety and replace, maintain and add important infrastructure in the area.
The City of Cardwell received an Economic Impact Initiative Grant in the amount of $1,230 and a Community Facility Grant in the amount of $3,389 to purchase an emergency warning siren for its citizens. Currently, this city has no emergency notification siren. With this purchase, the siren will provide the nearly 790 citizens in the City of Cardwell with the necessary protection through emergency notification.
“Protecting citizens from severe weather should be a top priority for each community,” said Sen. Libla. “Natural disasters like tornados have impacted lives and communities throughout the Bootheel, and their affects last for many years after. Countless lives have been saved with proper warnings of threatening or impending natural disasters. I applaud the City of Cardwell for taking care of its citizens and preparing Missourians for harm that might come their way.”
The City of Arbyrd is the recipient of a Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Division to upgrade the city’s existing wastewater treatment facility. These loans are distributed to communities in rural areas that are in financial need. Improvements to this wastewater treatment plant will include the construction of a high aerated lagoon wastewater treatment facility, closure of an old lagoon and installation of a new eight-inch gravity sewer main.
“The City of Arbyrd and its more than 500 residents will be better served with these much-needed improvements,” said Sen. Libla. “With this funding, the city will be able to correct violations of the Missouri Clean Water Law, which sets out to protect our state’s groundwater from harmful contamination. The treatment and maintenance of our water treatment plants — no matter how small or large the community — should always remain a concern for cities and their residents.”
Finally, the Malden Regional Airport will use funding provided by the Rural Business Enterprise Grant to remodel an existing airport hangar. The remodel will allow First Flight, a small and emerging business, to continue to provide service to local businesses in southeast Missouri. The project will save two jobs and create a new position.
“I recently spoke with constituents at the State Capitol about issues that affect the maintenance and development of our state’s airport system and its more than 100 public airports throughout the state that play a large role in Missouri’s economic activity,” said Sen. Libla. “Airports provide a vital resource to our transportation infrastructure and our businesses. With this grant and hangar remodel at the Malden Regional Airport, southeast Missouri and the Mississippi Delta Region will be able to stay competitive with other parts of the state. By accommodating First Flight and its important business to our community, valuable jobs were preserved and the door has been opened for more job opportunities.
To learn more about the cities that make up the 25th Senatorial District, visit www.senate.mo.gov/libla.
The City of Malden will using funding provided by the Rural Business Enterprise Grant to remodel and existing airport hangar and allow First Flight to continue its operations providing service to local businesses in Southeast Missouri. |
