February 22, 2012

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Nixon: Grant funding to help repair seven Missouri River levee districts

January 6, 2012 By

Gov. Jay Nixon was in Buchanan Co. today to announce more than $3.3 million to assist seven levee districts along the Missouri River.

The $3,316,925 in community development block grants will pay to repair and rebuild levees damaged by last year’s floods — the districts are in Buchanan, Carroll, Holt and Platte counties.

“Throughout the summer, levees in northwest Missouri that protect valuable farmland, homes and communities were damaged by historic flooding,” Nixon says. “Today, I’m pleased to announce that my administration is making more than $3.3 million available to help local communities meet their share of the costs associated with Army Corps of Engineers efforts to repair and rebuild these levees. Protecting valuable farmland, communities and vital infrastructure are critical priorities, and we are following through on our commitment to provide the resources to rebuild. This funding will ensure that communities and farmers have the protection they need to move forward.”

The levee districts to receive the funding include:

  • The Bean Lake Levee Association, which protects approximately 7,250 acres of land in Platte County that includes more than $116 million worth of structures; dozens of miles of highway, rail, bridges and roads; an electrical power plant; and 421 acres within Little Bean Marsh Wildlife Reserve. The association will receive a community development block grant of $224,000.

 

  • The Big Tarkio Drainage District which protects the communities of Craig and Bigelow and more than 20,000 acres of prime farm land in Holt County. Interstate 29 and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, along with numerous county and state routes, lie within the area protected by this district. The district is not part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance program, and the $667,317 in CDBG funds represents nearly the entire cost of rebuilding its levee system.

 

  • The Corning Levee District protects the area between the Big Tarkio River and Mill Creek Drainage District. As part of this levee system, the district helps protect a number of assets in Holt County, including the city of Craig, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, Interstate 29 and numerous county and state highways, including Missouri 111. This district also is not part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance program, and the $1,220,707 in CDBG funding represents nearly the entire cost of rebuilding of the levees there.

 

  • Holt Levee District #10 is a crucial component of the Holt County levee system and sustained 16 breaches during last year’s flooding. The district, located in the central part of the county, protects the cities of Craig and Big Lake, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, Interstate 29 and numerous county and state routes. The district also protects approximately 15,000 acres of prime farmland, along with many homes and farmsteads. Holt Levee District #10 will receive $484,571 in community development block grants.

 

  • The Rushville-Sugar Lake Levee Association protects 7,000 acres of productive farm land. Additionally, this levee protects the Louis and Clark State Park, and a portion of US 59, which supports an average of 9,500 daily motorists. The association will receive $349,992 in community development block grants.

 

  • The Union Township Levee District, which is a mainline levee and the first line of defense for much of northwestern Holt County. The levee protects the low-lying communities of Craig and Big Lake, Big Lake State Park, and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line. Interstate 29 and several Missouri state routes are also protected by the district, along with thousands of acres of fertile farm land. The district will receive $197,355 in CDBG funding.

 

  • The Wakenda Levee District, which protects 22,900 acres of prime farm land, dozens of homes, and several businesses in Carroll County. This levee district also protects an airport, 14 miles of railroad track, more than 80 miles of roads and four highway routes. The Wakenda Levee District will receive $172,983 in community development block grants.

Eleven levee districts applied for community development block grants to cover either the 20 percent local cost share required under the Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance program, or for the entire cost if the levee district is not part of the Corps’ system. One of the districts withdrew its request because it was able to get full funding. Nixon says the remaining three applications are still pending approval, but are expected to be awarded their requested funds after the approval process is complete.

Filed Under: Agriculture, Environment & Conservation, Fires/Accidents/Disasters, Flooding, News

MODOT changing some left turn signals yellow

June 30, 2011 By

The Missouri Department of Transportation is changing green lights at some left turns to flashing yellow arrows.  Drivers are still expected to yield to oncoming traffic, but studies suggest the new signals make that message more clear.

51 intersections have been changed so far in communities including Columbia, Jefferson City, St. Louis and Kansas City. Traffic Engineer Julie Stotlemeyer says the switch has worked in those locations, and more are being evaluated based on factors like traffic volume and peak traffic times.  She adds, not all intersections are candidates for the change.

When the flashing yellow arrows are introduced, MODOT places signs next to them instructing drivers to yield when it’s on and conducts a local education campaign.  The next edition of the state drivers’ manual will also address the new signals.

Assistant State Traffic Engineer Michael Curtit says national studies support the effectiveness of the yellow arrows.  He says much of the work is done by MODOT personnel at little cost.

Filed Under: Transportation, Travel

Nixon asks Obama to declare state of emergency

June 28, 2011 By

Gov. Nixon has requested that President Obama declare an emergency for the state of Missouri because of unprecedented flooding along the Missouri river system. In a release from the Governor’s office, he says flooding caused by excessive rain and by releases of water from reservoirs along the Missouri River has already impacted several counties in northwest Missouri, and is expected to affect every county in the state along the river. In addition, flash flooding in northeast Missouri has impacted two counties there.

“I’ve ordered the Missouri National Guard to coordinate efforts to protect Missourians and their property, and we’ve mobilized numerous other state resources to help local emergency response and law enforcement officials as well,” Nixon says. “A federal emergency declaration is another important step in our work to bring every resource to bear to fight these historic floods that are impacting so much of Missouri.”

In his letter to the President seeking the emergency declaration, Nixon asks for federal assistance for work and services to save lives and property, including appropriate supplies to support long-term shelter operations for communities forced to evacuate their homes because of rising flood water, and technical assistance and equipment such as pumps, sandbags and sand to support flood-fighting operations.

Several communities in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt and Platte counties already have been evacuated, or are in the process of evacuation, because of flooding. Missouri River flooding has closed sections of Interstate 29 and U.S. highways 136 and 159 in the area as well.

The counties along the Missouri River that are already affected or will be affected by the flooding are Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Franklin, Gasconade, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Moniteau, Montgomery, Osage, Platte, Ray, Saline, St. Charles, St. Louis and Warren, as well as the City of St. Louis. Clark and Lewis counties have been impacted by the flashfloods in northeast Missouri.

On June 8, Nixon issued Executive Order 11-18 directing the Missouri National Guard to coordinate and supervise the state’s efforts in preparing for and responding to flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries. The National Guard will continue to work directly with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies to ensure that Missourians and their property are protected.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 211. The 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626. Weather and emergency information also are available on the state of Missouri’s website, www.MO.gov.

Filed Under: Fires/Accidents/Disasters, Flooding, Politics & Government

McCaskill, Blunt ask for Obama’s help with flood-stricken Southeast Mo.

May 5, 2011 By

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt sent a letter to President Obama in support of Governor Jay Nixon’s request asking him to declare 40 counties and the city of St. Louis a federal disaster area in the wake of the recent tornadoes and high winds that ripped through the St. Louis area, and severe flooding that has ravaged southern Missouri. The senators stressed that federal assistance is essential to help Missouri communities recover from the severe storms that moved through the state late last month.

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Mr. President:

On May 5, 2011, Governor Jay Nixon requested a disaster declaration for the State of Missouri as a result of the high winds, tornadoes and severe flooding which have seriously affected the state since April 19. These weather events, which in many cases include record flooding, have resulted in the large-scale destruction of homes, farms, and businesses. This severe weather continues to have a devastating effect on families and businesses across the state. The state and local communities have been and continue to be burdened by the extreme costs that have been incurred in the effort to protect people and property. Therefore, we respectfully urge your speedy approval of this disaster declaration request.

The Governor has included 41 jurisdictions in this request, including forty counties and the independent City of Saint Louis. Significant damage was caused-and in some cases, continues–in each jurisdiction. At this time, joint FEMA/state damage assessments have been conducted in the City of Saint Louis, Saint Louis County, and Saint Charles County. Assessments are currently underway in the other thirty-eight jurisdictions impacted by ongoing flooding.

The severity and magnitude of this disaster, paired with the fact that Missouri has suffered several other natural disasters in the past year, has led the Governor to determine that an effective response to this event is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments.

Again, it is our hope that you will grant Governor Nixon’s request promptly, to help the state and local governments help communities recover from this disaster. Along with our fellow Missourians, we eagerly await your decision on this request for assistance.

Sincerely,　

Claire McCaskill, United States Senator

 Roy Blunt, United States Senator

Filed Under: Briefs

Gov. Nixon announces $27M for small businesses

March 22, 2011 By

The U.S. Department of Treasury and Gov. Nixon jointly announced today the approval ofMissouri’s application for $27 million in funding through the State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Nixon’s office says Missouri’s planned use of the funds will help create new jobs and spur more than $269 million in additional small-business lending in the state. The program supports state-level, small-business lending programs and is part of the Small Business Jobs Act President Obama signed into law last fall.

“Along Main Streets in every corner of Missouri, small businesses are a critical force for creating jobs and growing our economy,” Nixon says. “These new resources will help Missouri entrepreneurs grow their operations and turn their dreams into bricks and mortar. We appreciate the leadership shown by President Obama and Secretary Geithner in providing these resources for our state, and we will invest these tools wisely and strategically in businesses that will transform Missouri’s economy for the 21st Century.”

Treasury Geithner says the funds will help Missouri small businesses access the capital they need to expand their operations, create new jobs, and continue supporting our nation’s economic recovery.

“Public-private lending partnerships, such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative, have a proven track record of success, and I’m pleased that this funding is on its way to support economic growth in Missouri,” Geithner says.

Missouri expects to generate at least $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funding. As such, this $26.9 million allocation for Missouri is expected to support more than $269 million in new private lending, Nixon’s office reports.

Missouri’s plan dedicates $16.9 million of the funding to establish the high-tech Missouri IDEA (Innovation, Development and Entrepreneurial Advancement) Seed and Venture Capital Funds to promote the formation and growth of businesses that engage in the transfer of science and technology into job creation.

The funds provide financing to eligible businesses through four components that correspond to the four stages of venture growth: (1) pre-seed capital stage financing; (2) seed capital stage financing; (3) venture capital stage financing; and (4) expansion stage debt.

Collectively, these four components will provide financing opportunities throughout the process entrepreneurs call the “continuum of capital.” In this way, the funds will support new venture formation and growth all the way from research and development to commercialization.

Missouri’s approved plan also dedicates $10 million of SSBCI funding to the Grow Missouri Loan Participation Fund. That program supports the formation and growth of businesses in the industrial, commercial, agricultural, and recreational sectors. It provides loans of up to $3 million to businesses with fewer than 500 employees to help attract new enterprises and expand existing companies.

Under the State Small Business Credit Initiative, all states are offered the opportunity to apply for federal funds for state-run programs that partner with private lenders to increase the amount of credit available to small businesses. States must demonstrate a reasonable expectation that a minimum of $10 in new private lending will result from every $1 in federal funding. Accordingly, the $1.5 billion federal funding commitment is expected to result in at least $15 billion in additional private lending nationwide.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced the approval of Missouri’s SSBCI application during a conference today at the U.S. Treasury Department entitled, “Access to Capital: Fostering Growth and Innovation for Small Companies.”

While in Kansas City, Gov. Nixon toured Willco Technologies in Kansas City. Founded in 2005, Willco Technologies develops software and custom web solutions businesses, government agencies and other organizations. Willco’s current clients include the U.S. Department of Defense, the Jackson County Election Board and the State of Missouri. Earlier in the day, Gov. Nixon toured three start-up companies housed at the high-tech Center for Emerging Technologies in St. Louis. The center is a business incubator that provides facilities, training and access to capital for next-generation medical and advanced-technology companies.

For more information, visit http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sb-programs/Pages/ssbci.aspx. Missouri businesses can find more information about the program at www.MO.gov. The application period for Missouri businesses will open April 8, and applications will be available on www.MO.gov as well.

(This information was provided by a press release sent out by the Governor’s Office.)

Filed Under: Business, Politics & Government
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