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WASHINGTON COUNTY—Washington County is now accepting applications for opioid remediation projects through its Opioid Settlement funding. Businesses, not-for-profit organizations and tax entities serving Washington County are eligible to apply.

These funds come from a joint effort to hold accountable those companies that have contributed to the opioid epidemic across the nation. In 2020, the Missouri General Assembly established the Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Fund to receive settlement payments. In 2021, the state received its initial settlement payment. As of January 2024, settlements continue to be negotiated and finalized by the state and the political subdivisions that signed on to the lawsuit. Washington County is one of 106 counties participating in the opioid lawsuit. 

For a project to be eligible for funding, it should be listed on the Exhibit E, Schedule B of the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Approved Uses for Opioid Remediation, located at https://moopioidsettlements.dmh.mo.gov/Resources/AllowableUses. However, the creation of new positions related to any proposal or the purchase of Narcan vending machines or needles/syringes will NOT be funded with the Washington County Opioid Settlement funds, per the county commission. 

Those interested in applying can receive an application by contacting the Washington County Clerk Jeanette Allen at 573-438-6111 or Kelly Sink with Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) at kellysb@meramecregion.org. The application is available online at https://www.meramecregion.org/career-and-business-opportunities/grant-opportunities/. MRPC will collect proposals on a rolling basis and review projects for completeness to ensure that activities proposed are eligible and will then submit all projects to the Washington County Commission, along with its administrative review information, for the county to make funding decisions and disburse funds at the next available meeting. The commission regularly meets on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. Applicants will be notified of the meeting date at least one week before the hearing. 

MRPC assisted the commission with developing its application and process and will assist the county by ensuring selected projects are eligible expenditures under opioid settlements. MRPC will also be helping to secure required documentation and reporting. 

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. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chair of the board. A professional staff of 30 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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