USDA Rural Development program made several Dunklin County check presentations Monday

State officials presented mock checks to the cities of Clarkton, Holcomb, Senath, Arbyrd, Hornersville, Kennett, and to Dunklin County, Monday on behalf of the USDA Rural Development program.

Some of the visiting officials at the check presentations included U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Missouri Rural Development State Director Greg Branum, Rep. Otto Bean, Rep. Terry Swinger, and Southeast Missouri District Director Jeff Glenn.

Branum extended special thanks to federal elected officials including U.S. Sens. "Kit" bond and Jim Talent, and Emerson, for making federal money available to fund essential services for the community.

The City of Clarkton received a check for a $5,850 grant to purchase sewer equipment for the city.

"I'm pleased that USDA Rural Development is working with local officials to help secure the necessary equipment to improve and advance the Clarkton water system," said Sen. Jim Talent, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

"Many of our rural communities here in rural Missouri operate on less than a shoe string budget," Emerson said. They need help financing essential equipment to insure an environmentally safe waste water disposal system. I am glad Rural Development has identified this opportunity to address these needs."

The City of Holcomb received a check for $710,000 to fund improvements to the city sewer system.

The total financing package includes the $450,000 USDA Water and Waste Loan and the $260,000 USDA Water and Waste Grant, and the $500,000 Missouri Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant.

The system currently serves 255 household, and will serve an additional 27 users when the project is completed.

"The Holcomb community appreciates the collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and USDA Rural Development to improve our wastewater system for the benefit of our residents," said Holcomb Mayor Max D. Clark. "This kind of partnership shows we can, and are, working together for the greatest good in Rural Missouri.

The Senath Municipal Corporation received a check for $12,450 to purchase and install a storm warning siren for the city.

The check represented a Community Facility grant for the siren to provide early warning to residents of Senath and the surrounding areas in times of national or local emergency, severe weather, or other natural disasters.

"This alert system will help notify the local citizens of approaching tornados and severe storms," Talent said. "I appreciate USDA Rural Development for their help to protect residents of Senath through this new alert system."

The City of Arbyrd received a check for $4,500 to purchase needed fire equipment and gear from a Community Facility Grant.

"The Arbyrd Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the USDA for the grant that was awarded to our department," said Fire Chief Derrick Higgins. "Arbyrd is a very small town with a small tax base, and without the assistance of the USDA Grant, the fire department would not have been able to purchase the much needed equipment."

The City of Hornersville received two mock checks representing a $352,600 Water and Waste Loan, a $235,100 water grant, and a community fellowship for $7,836 to purchase fire equipment.

"The City of Hornersville would like to thank Ed Mason and Tresia Webb and the entire staff at Rural Development for their help with receiving the water and fire department grants," said Hornersville Mayor David Powell.

"When we have the opportunity to attract businesses, improve our infrastructure, or expand opportunities, it is very important that our communities have the resources they need to facilitate growth," Emerson said. "Not only will these funds help achieve our rural development goals, they will also help create jobs and ultimately raise our standard of living in Southern Missouri."

The City of Kennett received mock checks representing $12,375 and $13,450 in grants for two early warning siren systems and to purchase hazardous material equipment.

"I am pleased to present these federal funds as a partner for such worthwhile projects," Branum said.

"We are not very well covered without these early warning sirens in these areas of the city at this time," said Kennett Fire Chief John Mallott. "The Rural Development Grant to purchase Hazardous Materials Equipment for the Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Response Unit will greatly enhance the capabilities of the unit for Kennett and the surrounding areas and finish the requirements to meet the NFPA 1901."

The Dunklin County Courthouse was the setting for the final presentation of a $90,000 grant to Dunklin County.

The grant will be used for architect services to design and develop plans for the new Dunklin County Criminal Justice Complex.

"The commission would like to thank Ed Mason and Nathan Chitwood of Rural Development for their assistance with this project," said the Dunklin County Commission's presiding commissioner, Don Collins. "These funds will go a long way in the development of our Criminal Justice Center."

For more information, contact Community Development Specialist Tresia L. Wedd at 888-2536, or visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo.