Governor Mike Parson on Friday continued his commitment to finding solutions to ease the impact of the drought by announcing that more than $77,000 in state funding will be awarded to assist the drought-stricken City of Cameron and Caldwell County Public Water Supply Number 2. As of August 20, the City of Cameron reservoirs were […]
Tag: infrastructure
Governor Parson meets with agriculture and business leaders in Northern Missouri
(Missourinet) – Missouri’s governor says infrastructure and workforce issues were two common themes he heard during meetings this week with agriculture and business leaders in northern Missouri’s Mexico, Kirksville, and Moberly. Governor Mike Parson spoke to Missourinet Moberly affiliate KWIX, after hosting an “Agriculture in Business Roundtable” at the Orscheln Farm and Home distribution center […]
Audio: You can still vote if you don’t have a photo ID
(Missourinet) – Missouri’s primary election is underway. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says the state’s registered voters without a government-issued photo ID can still cast a ballot today. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says the state’s voter ID law was designed to make the experience easy for citizens casting their ballot. […]
USDA invests $97 million in rural broadband infrastructure nationwide
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $97 million in 12 projects to provide or improve rural broadband service in 11 states, including Missouri. “A person’s location should not determine whether he or she has access to modern communications infrastructure,” Secretary Perdue said. “That is why USDA […]
USDA encourages rural Missouri communities to apply for loans to improve and rebuild infrastructure
“USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in building their futures,” Hazlett said. “All people – regardless of their zip code – need modern, reliable infrastructure to thrive, and we have found that when we address this need, many other challenges in rural places become much more manageable.” Eligible rural communities […]
Missouri Department of Natural Resources making funds available to drought stricken communities
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Financial Assistance Center is making emergency funding available for drought-impacted publicly owned community water systems in response to an executive order by Governor Mike Parson putting 47 counties on drought alert. Public systems serving fewer than 10,000 people and are within the drought alert area designated in the executive […]
Sunnyview Nursing Home contracts with Energy Solutions Professionals to provide facility upgrades
Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments has entered into an Energy Performance Contract with Energy Solutions Professionals of Overland Park, Kansas. Sunnyview states the contract will result in $215,000 in infrastructure upgrades and that Sunnyview is guaranteed to save more than $32,800 annually in energy and operational costs after energy-saving improvements are made to the facility […]
Grain Belt Express sent back to State Public Service Commission by Missouri Supreme Court
The Grain Belt Express Clean Line, a proposed energy transmission project through northern Missouri, got new life Tuesday following a ruling by the state’s highest court. The Grain Belt Express Clean Line, if built, would carry energy from Kansas to Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, running through several counties including Clinton, Caldwell, Carroll, and Chariton within […]
Opponents: Right to Work could mean lower wages in Missouri
On the surface, “right to work” policy sounds like something beneficial to Missouri workers, but opponents say it’s a misnomer. Contrary to what the name may indicate, the policy does not aim to provide a general guarantee of employment to people seeking work. On August 7, the state’s voters will decide on Proposition A, which […]
Route N to close at No Creek on Thursday
Harsh winters and hot summers put wear and tear on Missouri’s aging infrastructure. Such is the case with the No Creek Bridge on Route N east of Trenton in Grundy County. Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to close Route N to all traffic at No Creek on Thursday, July 5, between 7:30 […]
Audio: Sweeping new utility law criticized by watchdog groups
(Missourinet) – A sweeping new law allows Missouri utility companies to use an accounting practice that lets them recover depreciation on investments up front. Ameren, the state’s largest power company, says it stimulates investment in long-needed infrastructure upgrades. Cara Spencer with Consumers Council considers the accounting practice a ploy on the part of utilities to […]
Department of Natural Resources to offer free workshop on water and wastewater infrastructure financing
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and two other agencies are offering a free workshop June 21 in Macon about funding opportunities for drinking water systems and wastewater treatment plants. “Nothing beats a face-to-face discussion,” said Hannah Humphrey, director of MoDNR’s Financial Assistance Center. “We know that state and federal assistance programs have a reputation for being […]
Aging infrastructure challenges Missouri cities
Roads, bridges, and water systems are part of the backbone of Missouri cities, and the challenge of governments across the state is how to maintain that infrastructure. It was one of the topics recently discussed at the 86th annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Boston where St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson attended to share ideas […]
Audio: Governor Parson supports proposed gas tax increase
(Missourinet) – Seven Missouri mayors have met today with Governor Parson to discuss the issues facing their cities. Parson tells reporters at the Capitol in Jefferson City today that infrastructure is a common theme among Missouri leaders and he supports a proposed gas tax increase. The ballot measure headed to a public vote […]
USDA Invests $256 Million in Water Infrastructure in Rural Communities
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $256 million in 81 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural areas in 35 states. Missouri State Director Jeff Case is pleased to announce that over $10 million was invested into rural Missouri communities. “Rural […]
Missouri legislature passes bill with proposed gas tax
The Missouri Legislature has passed a bill that includes a proposed gas tax increase. During House debate on this final day of the regular session, St. Charles Republican Rep. Phil Christofanelli strongly opposes the measure that would ask Missouri voters in November whether the state should boost the tax by 2.5 cents annually for four […]
Massive utility bill passes Missouri legislature
Missouri lawmakers have passed a far-reaching utility bill that satisfies the state’s largest electric companies after years of haggling in the legislature. The bill changes the way regulated utilities negotiate rates with the state by allowing them to more quickly recover the cost of infrastructure upgrades. It would give them more flexibility to change customer rates […]
Missouri Rural Broadband Legislation Heading to Governor’s Desk
Legislation declaring that the expansion of broadband service is in the best interest of Missourians is heading to Governor Eric Greitens’ desk. State Representative Curtis Trent’s bill encourages the development of fiber optic infrastructure by Missouri’s rural electric cooperatives. The Springfield Republican tells House colleagues the uses of this are “immeasurable”: Trent says […]
Utility legislation moves further than previous years in Missouri with initial passage of House bill
The House has given initial approval to a utility that introduces a new accounting method. It allows power companies to depreciate costs on infrastructure upgrades they make long before they negotiate customer utility rates before state regulators. Warren Wood with Ameren Missouri says, contrary to what critics contend, the accounting method is nothing new and […]
USDA invests nearly $119 million in Missouri rural electric infrastructure
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that USDA is investing $2.5 billion in rural electric infrastructure improvements to help create jobs and support economic development in 27 states. Of these investments, nearly $119 million was invested in Missouri. “These significant investments will help develop and maintain modern, reliable electric infrastructure that businesses and rural communities […]