Panama Canal expansion could impact Missouri ports

MODOT officials say the widened canal will open more freight shipment opportunities to Missouri.

Franklin School construction proceeds as planned

The $10 million project is being constructed next to the old school. It will open for the 2012 school year.

Dino's Pizza damaged by fire

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department estimates $250,000 in damages, but the building is not a total loss.

Mississippi River Basin nitrate pollution remains high

Nitrates flowing from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico contribute to the formation of areas known as dead zones.

Showing posts with label Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. Show all posts

Friday, July 29, 2011

Nixon visits Nordenia USA, lauds job expansion

JACKSON, MO (KRCU) - Nordenia USA will expand its current plant on Highway 177, as well as build a new manufacturing facility at the Jackson Industrial Park.

Nordenia will hire 50 new employers over three years.

Governor Jay Nixon was at Nordenia on Thursday to make the announcement. He counted the reasons why Nordenia has grown in a competitive environment.

"First of all, our transportation network, here on highway 55, our products can be moved in and out very quickly. Number two is our good business environment. By getting rid of the Franchise Tax it’s lowered the stress, financial stress, the double-taxation there. And I think by the coordinated effort of our state, our city and our county folks working together makes a difference. And finally, the workforce is strong. I mean, Missourians show up early and they stay late," Nixon said.

Nordenia began manufacturing packaging materials 21 years ago with 5 employees. That number has grown to over 400 today.

The expansion will result in $2 million in capital investment.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Community Development Block Grant cuts would reverberate at local level

DEXTER, MO (KRCU) - President Barack Obama’s proposed federal budget includes a cut for Community Development Block Grants, or CDBGs. The flexible grants are used to help cities and towns with infrastructure projects, economic development, and safety net programs.

The 7.5% decrease would amount to a reduction of $300 million nationwide. A Republican proposal has included complete elimination of the $4.5 billion Community Development Fund, most of which goes to CDBG grants.

Steve Duke is the executive director for the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, based in Dexter, Missouri. He says that CDBGs make up about half of his funding formula for projects … ranging from industrial development to waste water treatment to drainage systems. Without them and Rural Development grants, he says he would have few alternatives.

"There’s really no other avenue for funding except for coming out of the city or county treasury. And as we all know, they don’t have a lot reserves built up either," Duke says. "So it basically either stops development or significantly slows it down, anyway."

CDBG funding cuts are also raising concerns in urban areas. St. Louis mayor Francis Slay wrote on his blog that losing CDBG would be “terrible news” for his city.


Jacob McCleland, KRCU