(Kansas City, MO)—Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II will present a check for $539,000 in federal funding to the City of Raytown on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the Old First Baptist Church in downtown Raytown. 

“I am happy to bring home nearly 37 million federal dollars to help our cities and communities. These are your tax dollars and I am glad they will be put to work in your neighborhoods — like $539,000 to help tear down the old First Baptist Church in Raytown so new city development plans can proceed.”

The city has been working closely with Congressman Cleaver’s Office and Sen. Kit Bond’s Office for over two years to secure funding to prepare the property for redevelopment. “We are excited beyond words. This is a keystone project in redeveloping the heart and soul of our City” said Mayor David Bower.  “This funding brings a new level of competitiveness to our redevelopment efforts and eliminates an unsightly building in the downtown.   We’d like to thank our entire federal delegation for helping to make a revitalized Raytown a reality.”

In 2001 the City acquired the property for $500,000 to secure a large tract of land to anchor the downtown redevelopment. The City has also secured a State of Missouri Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $400,000 for the same project. The City is continuing the process of report gathering for demolition.  How these two funding sources will effect each other will be known over the next several weeks as City staff discuss the details with both state and federal officials.

“I know the term earmark conjures images of “bridges to nowhere” and pork barrel projects, but I think the projects we were able to secure funding for tell a different story. These are battered women shelters and veteran’s programs, public safety and community development priorities,” said Congressman Cleaver. “At a time when the economy is struggling, this money means jobs for people in our community.”

Who: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, Mayor David Bower and the Raytown Board of Alderman

What: Federal earmark check presentation

When: January 14, 2008, 3:00 p.m.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.