WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) and the Delta Regional
Authority (DRA) have worked together to announce a full slate of improvement projects for Southern Missouri.

 

“I very much appreciate the DRA’s interest and expertise as we identify opportunities to invest in rural infrastructure, better health care facilities, and business district improvements that will help our region grow,” Emerson said.  “In rural America, we face immense challenges attracting new jobs and fighting the “brain drain” to urban centers.  Yet we have tremendous resources: a skilled and dedicated workforce, innovative business and medical solutions involving high-speed Internet and data-transfer, a rich history of entrepreneurship and support for local businesses, and an unparalleled quality of life.”

 

The Delta Regional Authority’s list of Eighth Congressional District Projects includes:

 

$185,000 for architectural fees, designs and drawings as part of the bid to replace two floors of medical facilities at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Scott County.  The renovations will improve access to medical care for 195,000 Bootheel region residents.

$50,000 for the purchase and renovation of the Butler Building in downtown West Plains.  The refurbished structure will serve as the home to a small business incubator to aid economic development.

 

$57,178 for the completion of Phase II of the Mountain Grove Central Business District
Association’s business incubator, for the construction of four offices, a conference room and a break room to be used by four new entrepreneurial businesses.

 

$24,083 for the Regional Geographic Information Systems Planning Project in Perry County and affecting a seven-county area.  This project of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission is designed to set standards and guidelines for the development of a fully-functioning GIS system to disseminate information to the public and public agencies.

 

$41,695 for a business incubator project at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape
Girardeau.

 

$74,955 for grading, paving, and engineering improvements to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port in Scott County, an upgrade which will facilitate the creation of 47 jobs in the community.

 

$19,000 to evaluate the sanitary sewer system treatment plant of Clarkton in Dunklin County for compliance with EPA standards.

 

$100,000 for road improvements to Brooks Lane and Old Highway 142 in Ripley County, improving access to the Hood Industrial Park.

 

$100,000 for a water and sewer extension for new industry at the New Madrid County Port Authority.