Investment to Benefit Nearly 18,000 Rural Missourians
HANNIBAL, MO, Sept. 10, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $228,800 to modernize public safety equipment in Hannibal, Mo.
“Modern emergency communications infrastructure is vital to the safety of rural Missourians and essential for first responders to adequately serve rural communities, businesses, and residents,” said Thomas. “USDA Rural Development invests in public safety projects, like this one for the city of Hannibal, to ensure Missouri’s rural communities can affordably meet the needs of their personnel and citizens.”
USDA Rural Development is providing the city of Hannibal a $228,800 Community Facilities Grant to upgrade its analog radio equipment and improve emergency communications within the city. Hannibal’s radio system is analog based, does not have interoperable capability, and is not compatible with the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network (MOSWIN). Upgrading the radio equipment to a digital system will increase personnel safety; allow for interoperability and partnership with state, county, and other local agencies; boost the coverage and reach of radio communication between dispatch and emergency responders; and better provide for Hannibal’s citizens. Additional funding for this project is being provided by the city of Hannibal, Marion County Emergency Services, and Ralls County Emergency Services.
Funding for today’s announcement was made available through the $150 million in grants included in the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act. These grants are to help eligible rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters such as recent years’ severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Missouri.
Currently, Missouri has 84 counties included in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Major Disaster Declarations; view the complete list of the state’s designated counties.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are exhausted.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo, by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.
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