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STEELVILLE—The Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has awarded the City of Steelville a grant for $495,788 to help renovate the community building and bring it up to code per ADA requirements. 

“It’s a project that we’ve been working on for over two years,” Steelville Mayor Terry Beckham said. “It’s very valuable for the community, and we’ve had a lot of community support for the project. Our original community building was completed back in the early 1960s, so it’s over 60 years old, and it has been well used as a multipurpose facility. It’s been used by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Legion and even as a skating rink. It’s very well used and in bad need of repair so we are very excited to have this project happening.” 

Interior and exterior improvements to the Steelville community building will address ADA accessibility, improve environmental efficiency, improve security, and prepare the building for enhanced emergency use. ADA improvements include accessible restrooms, parking, ramps, sidewalks and three entrances. Additional improvements include LED light fixtures, high-efficiency HVAC system, kitchen remodel with energy-efficient appliances, roofing, gutters, the addition of an emergency generator and automatic transfer switch for building and well, and a security system with card access and cameras. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $630,988 with difference coming from the city and in-kind donations. Archer-Elgin will be doing the engineering work on the project. 

“Expanding and maintaining our state’s infrastructure is essential to economic development,” said Rob Dixon, Department of Economic Development Director, in the DED press release on the CDBG awards. “These projects are keeping our communities strong and preparing them for new opportunities in the months and years ahead.” 

Steelville was one of 38 recipients sharing in some $15.8 million in projects announced today. MRPC assisted the city in writing the grant and will serve as the grant administrator.

For more information, please visit https://ded.mo.gov/content/ded-awards-158-million-community-development-projects-statewide. 

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. Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle, assumed the position of chairman at the June meeting after Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel completed his second term as the chairman. A professional staff of 34 led by Executive Director Bonnie Prigge 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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Cutline: The Steelville Community Building will receive necessary improvements due to the award of a $495,788 CDBG grant. These improvements will include ADA accessibility, environmental efficiency, security and enhanced emergency use.