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Low-interest Rate Energy Loan
5-10-2008
We may have spoken in the past about the department's Energy Revolving Fund available to public schools,
universities, colleges, cities, counties, public hospitals and water treatment plants to help reduce energy
costs. I have been advised that . . .
the department has $3.8 million available for energy-efficiency loan projects. 50% of
the available funds will be allocated to public schools (K-12), 25% to city and county government and 25% to
public higher education institutions. The loan cycle is now open and applications for these low-interest loans
will be accepted between June 1 and October 15, 2008.
I wanted you to have access to the information if an energy-related project is on your agenda for anytime
soon.These loans can be used to implement cost-effective energy-efficiency projects such as HVAC upgrades, new
lighting, insulation, window replacement/reduction or any improvement that will result in reduction of energy
cost or consumption. The loans are paid back through yearly energy savings and are awarded for a term not to
exceed 15 years.
Benefits to the recipients include increased comfort for building occupants and reduced energy costs.
Another key benefit is freeing up tax dollars that school districts, higher education facilities and local
government could use for essential services or other capital improvements. These loans are not defined as debt,
therefore this loan financing does not count against debt limits or require a public vote or bond issuance.
The following link will take you to additional information and how to get an application packet.
www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/financial/loan.htm
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Gov. Blunt Announces Opening of 2008 DREAM Initiative
5-8-2008
Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the opening of the 2008 Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for
Missouri (DREAM) Initiative. Gov. Blunt created the initiative as an opportunity to revitalize the once
prosperous and still promising downtown areas of many Missouri communities in the coming years.
"I created the DREAM Initiative two years ago to help ensure that our small and medium-sized communities are given
the opportunity to share in economic development. Since its creation, the DREAM Initiative has proven to be been a
tremendous success," Gov. Blunt said. "The 20 Missouri communities that have been selected are all much closer to
making their dreams of downtown revitalization come true. I strongly encourage Missouri community leaders to consider
applying for assistance in helping revitalize their downtown regions. The valuable resources made possible by the
DREAM Initiative will help create jobs and enhance opportunities for even more Missouri communities."
Gov. Blunt launched the DREAM to help small and mid-sized Missouri communities navigate through the various
downtown revitalization, business development and residential resources available through state government to further
help those communities with downtown revitalization and job creation efforts. The Missouri Department of Economic
Development (DED) is the lead agency in the effort and works closely with the Missouri Housing Development Commission
and the Missouri Development Finance Board to provide close assistance to the selected communities.
Applications will be due by 5 p.m. on July 18, 2008 and may be obtained through the DREAM Internet site,
www.dream.mo.gov. There will be two applications available,
one for previous applicants who were not selected previously and a second for first time applicants. Gov. Blunt
plans to announce the 2008 DREAM communities at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development in September.
Since Gov. Blunt announced the first 10 DREAM communities in 2006, they have received more than $225 million
in total investment for housing, construction and renovation projects and infrastructure improvements. Public
investment in the communities to date totals $38 million, less than a fourth of the total private investments.
Public funding secured through the governor’s initiative has created an unprecedented $189 million in private
investment to benefit the 10 communities.
Aurora, Cape Girardeau, Caruthersville, Chillicothe, Clinton, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett,
Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Neosho, Poplar Bluff, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Sikeston, Trenton, Washington, and West
Plains are DREAM communities.
Gov. Blunt has made strengthening Missouri’s economy a top priority. In his first year in office he lead the
successful efforts to enact real lawsuit and workers’ compensation reforms that, combined with new economic programs
like his Quality Jobs Act, have helped employers and entrepreneurs create over 80,000 new jobs since January 2005.
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APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THE FEDERAL RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT
5-5-2008
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has begun accepting grant applications from private organizations
and municipal, state and federal agencies for the fiscal year 2008 grant round of the federal Recreational Trails
Program.
The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. A minimum of $900,000 is expected in this cycle.
Eligible project categories include development of trail development or renovation and preservation. All grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis; a minimum 20 percent match is required for projects. Applications must be postmarked by July 18.
To assist potential project sponsors with the application process, Department of Natural Resources staff is planning grant application workshops throughout the state during June:
• Jefferson City -- June 4, 10 a.m., Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, Bennett Spring Conference Room, 1739 E. Elm St.
• Kansas City -- June 11, 10 a.m., Mid-America Regional Council, Westview Conference Room, 600 Broadway, Suite 300
• Springfield, June 12, 10 a.m. Myers Alumni Center, Hospitality Room, 300 South Jefferson
• St. Louis -- June 24, 10 a.m., East-West Gateway Council of Governments, One Memorial Drive, Suite 1600
• Sikeston -- June 25, 1 p.m. Sikeston City Parks and Recreation/Clinton Building, 501 Campanella Drive
For more information about the program or workshops, to access an application form or to register online for a workshop, go to www.mostateparks.com/grantinfo.htm. Applications can also be requested by contacting the Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, Grants Management Section, 1659 E. Elm St., Jefferson City, MO 65101 or calling 573-751-3442.
For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm.
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January - April 2008
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