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POTOSI— The city of Potosi, on behalf of the Washington County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), has been awarded a $240,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. 

The grant will work to extend Ameren Road and complete Development Drive – currently only a gravel roadway. Additionally, the project will include the installation of curbing and storm water drainage, as well as the extension of approximately 460 feet of water main that will be constructed to provide service to H2O Technologies, LLC’s purchase and rehab of an existing building in the industrial park.

“The additional benefit to the industrial park, beyond infrastructure improvements, allows the Washington County IDA to gain access to undisturbed land to develop,” said Krista Synder, Washington County IDA Executive Director. “The infrastructure improvement to connect the streets will maintain a flow for existing businesses to allow more than one access off the highway especially, for modes of transportation and transit for shipping and receiving products. As a Missouri Certified Site, these improvements enhance the ability to reach prospects by offering additional land with growth potential. This opened the access to approximately 40 acres for development for future availability to offer expansion and development. This is a key component for growth, and we are excited to showcase the aesthetics of our industrial park.”

H2O Technologies, the newest tenant in the Washington County Industrial Park, is the sole bottler of LaRue Artesian Spring Water, sourced from the Hillcrest Spring. The company has been bottling water since 2019. Since H2O is a water bottling company, transportation is vital to the success of the business. Ease of semi-truck access is critical. Currently, the company’s site is at the end of a concrete industrial road, which only needs an additional 970 feet to create a full loop in the industrial park providing additional access. The additional road extension would provide the company’s semi-trucks access to the industrial parks east entrance onto Highway 8, which would be a much better route for tractor trailers. Additionally, the completion of roads within the industrial park would allow for H2O to keep all transportation of its stock to warehouses within the industrial park, whereas it currently requires travel on a state highway to get to its warehouse. 

“The improvements provide greater access to our site,” Amy Eisenbeis, H2O Vice President, said. “We do have plans to expand, and these improvements not only provides better access, but overall improves the efficiency and safety for our staff and those coming to our facility. This project is a great addition to the IDA Park and we are excited to see if move forward.”

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) prepared the grant request and will administer the grant on behalf of the city of Potosi, who is sponsoring the grant on behalf of the IDA. The total cost of the project is $830,273. The Washington County Industrial Development Authority is contributing the additional $590,273 on top of the CDBG grant funds.  In order for the city to receive the grant, H2O pledged to commit $1,149,999 in private investments and create 12 jobs at its current operation in Potosi.  

CDBG programs are designed to support the well-being of Missouri’s communities and increase their capacity for growth. Grants are available in several categories and can be utilized for a variety of community development initiatives.

The CDBG program is a flexible program that provides communities with the necessary resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Missouri Department of Economic Development handles Missouri’s allocation of CDBG funds and offers them on a competitive basis to cities, counties and other qualifying entities outside entitlement areas, that receive direct CDBG funds.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 34 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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