The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $4,924,245 to deploy broadband infrastructure in rural areas of Missouri without sufficient access to high-speed internet. “Access to high-speed internet is vital to stay connected with one another and expands opportunities for employment, education, healthcare, […]
Tag: infrastructure
Missouri to accept Medicaid expansion applications; DSS to begin processing applications on October 1
(Missouri Independent) – Missourians who qualify for benefits under Medicaid expansion can begin enrolling. Still, it may take up to two months until they will find out if their eligibility has been verified and their application has been approved. In a news release Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson announced that in response to a Cole County […]
Missouri lags behind other states in broadband access and adoption
Missouri lags behind many other states in broadband access and adoption, limiting people’s ability to participate in the emerging digital economy, digital learning, and even telemedicine. The trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, which passed the Senate this week, includes $65 billion to boost high-speed internet access, along with other funds for roads, bridges, airports, and Amtrak. Tim […]
Audio: City of Trenton switching to “Advanced Metering Infrastructure” so water and electric meters can “talk” to each other and city hall
Trenton City Administrator and Utility Director Ron Urton reports Trenton currently has water and electric meters that are at least 20 years old. He says it is “pretty easy” for electric meters to transfer data by radio read. The city is switching to advanced metering infrastructure. Urton explains that technology allows meters to […]
Biden-Harris Administration extends eviction moratorium for homeowners
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended through September 30 the eviction moratorium for homeowners of properties financed or guaranteed by USDA. “The United States is still reeling from a nationwide housing affordability crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA is taking this important action today to allow individuals and families who face eviction from […]
U.S. Senate agrees to move ahead on $550 billion in new infrastructure spending
(Missouri Independent) – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators say they have worked through the sticking points on a major infrastructure package, and the Senate agreed on a procedural vote on Wednesday night to advance to debate on the proposal. That announcement came a week after Republicans blocked a test vote on the deal, with GOP […]
USDA invests $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced that USDA is investing $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states. “When we invest in infrastructure, we’re investing in the people of rural America to help create thriving communities where they can grow and prosper. These loans […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve contract with Friends of Gallatin; city crews continue with water and electric infrastructure installation
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a resolution and two ordinances on July 26. The resolution involved appointing Julia Filley as the city prosecutor at $100 per hour. One ordinance involved entering into a contract for services with the Friends of Gallatin regarding Chautauqua in September. The other ordinance involved establishing a procedure to disclose […]
WireCo WorldGroup announces $15 million expansion in Sedalia
WireCo WorldGroup Inc. announced it is investing $15 million over the next five years to expand production capabilities in its Sedalia facility. The facility currently employs more than 160 individuals, and this expansion will result in the creation of 18 new jobs. “We’re excited to see WireCo finding success and opportunities for growth here in […]
Leadership Northwest Missouri class of 2021 graduates 19 from the region
Leadership Northwest Missouri recently held their 2021 graduation ceremony in Cameron at the Cameron Community Center. The celebration began with a welcome by Master of Ceremonies, Julie Robertson, Chair of the Graduation Planning Committee and 2020 LNWMO alum. Tim Wymes, 2020 LNWMO alum, blessed the group with an invocation prior to dinner. Katelyn Addison and […]
Stop Ransomware website: Government launches first one-stop ransomware resource
As part of the ongoing response, agencies across the U.S. government announced new resources and initiatives to protect American businesses and communities from ransomware attacks. The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, together with federal partners, have launched a new website to combat the threat of ransomware. The Stop Ransomware […]
Audio: For the first time in about 25 years, Missouri’s gas tax will increase
For the first time in about 25 years, Missouri’s gas tax will increase beginning in October. Governor Parson has signed into law a bill boosting the user fee by two-and-a-half cents annually over five years. During a ceremonial bill signing Tuesday in Jefferson City, Parson says the move is historic for Missouri infrastructure funding. […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve LAGERS retirement program; update provided on new electric and water meter installation
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on Monday, July 12 approved the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System performing a payroll case study. That was after two LAGERS employees presented information on the retirement program. The LAGERS employees reported that if the city chose to enter the LAGERS retirement program, a new payroll case study would […]
Governor Parson signs SB 262 into law, increasing transportation funding for critical infrastructure projects
Governor Mike Parson has signed SB 262 into law, which will increase transportation funding for critical state and local infrastructure projects across the state of Missouri. “With nearly $1 billion in unfunded transportation needs each year, we can no longer wait for another day or another generation. We must change course and address these problems head-on,” Governor Parson said. “SB […]
USDA announces dates for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signups
Agricultural producers and landowners can apply for the Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signup from today until August 20. This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated signup options to provide greater incentives for producers and increase the program’s conservation and climate benefits, including setting a minimum rental rate and identifying two national priority zones. […]
“Surge response team” arrives in Missouri amid COVID-19 spike caused by Delta variant
(Missouri Independent) – As federal officials land in Missouri at the request of the state to assist with combatting a wave of new COVID cases spurred by the Delta variant, Gov. Mike Parson publicly rebuffed outreach strategies President Joe Biden touted. On Tuesday, a member of the newly-created federal surge response team arrived in the […]
Biden-Harris Administration invests $307 million in rural water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in 34 states
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture is investing $307 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states and Puerto Rico (PDF, 224 KB). The investments being announced follow President Biden’s announcement last week of a Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework that will make the largest investment in clean […]
Farm Service Agency now accepting nominations for county committee members
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency began accepting nominations for county committee members on June 15. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas for these members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the […]
USDA invests $910,000 to improve rural water infrastructure in Jackson County
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $910,000 to modernize rural drinking water infrastructure in Jackson County, benefitting nearly 3.000 rural Missourians. “Every community, large and small, needs safe, reliable access to necessities like clean water,” Thomas said. “Rural Development congratulates Public Water Supply […]