Panel addresses concerned citizens in Schell City
A panel of representatives from various local and state agencies addressed concerned citizens at a community meeting Wednesday evening in Schell City.
"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help," Luke Holtschneider, State of Missouri manager of rural development said, drawing laughter.
The panel for Wednesday's meeting consisted of Carol Platt, Area Specialist from the United States Department of Agriculture; Elizabeth Van Winkle, Executive Director of Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission; Darin Hamelink, Area Engineer for Missouri Department of Transportation, Southwest Missouri; Kathy Macomber, MU Extension community development specialist and county program director for Barton County; Appleton City Mayor Karol Stephan; Luke Holtschneider, State of Missouri Manager of Rural Development, Missouri Department of Economic Development; and Chris Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Central Missouri Community Action Agency.
Also in attendance was Lt. John Randall from the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and Missouri State Representative Patricia Pike.
Gina Ensor, who works for West Central Missouri Community Action Agency and is a member of the Northeast Vernon County school district board, organized the meeting and served as master of ceremonies for the evening.
"Tonight I wear one hat -- that of concerned citizen. This book tells us that since the start of our community, we have been a resilient community," Ensor said, holding up a manuscript detailing the history of northeast Vernon County to 1997.
"Every single time there was a tragedy -- we rebuilt. After two years of talking, I realized I was talking to the wrong people -- I should have been talking to you."
Ensor said this meeting was intended for anyone in the Northeast Vernon County School district because even though there were multiple small towns, the school tied everyone together into a larger community.
Ensor wrapped up by explaining the results of a community survey recently distributed. According to the survey, 59 of the 61 respondents indicated they would be willing to participate in community betterment projects.
In response to a question about quality of life, approximately 84 percent of the respondents said community development (jobs, housing) was horrible.
Platt was the first to speak, explaining that the USDA operates 47 different programs related to community development.
"We have programs for just about anything you can imagine," she said.
Platt listed federally funded grants and loans, value added programs, housing, business development, community facility loans and grants.
Community facility loans and grants can be used for a variety of projects including storm sirens, police vehicles and equipment, community facilities, and even water and sewer infrastructure.
Platt explained that based on population and income, Schell City is eligible for 55 percent matching grants and loans if federal funding is available. Schell City is considered a poverty area which makes it a priority for USDA funding.
Next to speak was Van Winkle.
"We're kind of a middle man between communities and state and federal funding," she noted.
Van Winkle explained that KBRPC is one of 19 such entities in Missouri.
"If we can't find a solution, we'll point people in the right direction, she said."
Ashley Swartz, a community development administrator with KBRPC expounded on the organization's mission and successes.
Swartz said KBRPC helped Appleton City and Butler secure Community Development Block Grants to help pay for the demolition of dangerous buildings. Between the two communities, 62 dangerous or dilapidated buildings were demolished.
Swartz added that in 2015, KBRPC helped communities win more than $3 million in grant money.
Next up was Hamelink.
"My job is to represent you, the customer," Hamelink said before explaining a number of recent MoDOT projects in the area.
Hamelink explained that MoDOT prioritizes projects annually, and calls for new projects every two years.
He said MoDOT had recently completed numerous projects, including Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks in a number of communities including the new sidewalk from Nevada High School to Ash Street.
Hamelink continued, (these projects) "can really help beautify these downtown areas that have been run down over the years."
Presenting next was Macomber.
"I work with you in your community," Macomber said.
Macomber explained her main function was to help communities manage the process. Among other duties, she teaches leadership development and board development classes.
Next to present was the evening's guest of honor, Mayor Karol Stephan of Appleton City.
Stephan told the story of Appleton City's success that began in 2010.
"Do not think these projects are fast, they are not. They take a lot of patience, but they are worth it," Stephan said.
She said Appleton City had gone years without having an audit done and a clean audit was a priority in order to qualify for grants and loans.
After being rejected twice, the city invited the grant judges and MoDOT reps to a meeting. What they learned was that the city needed to be doing a better job in having and enforcing ordinances.
Her son, Justin Stephan, was elected mayor in 2012 but died before learning the city was finally awarded the Community Development Block Grant to demolish a number of buildings that were dangerous or in disrepair.
Stephan said that with the city's tax incremental financing district came several retailers and increased tax revenue.
One of the projects the city has been working on is replacement of all existing sidewalks. The third and final phase of that project is scheduled to start this fall.
Appleton City is now looking at replacing their vintage 1925 water tower and updating the municipal water system.
"Our economic developer that works with Kaysinger Basin is wonderful. She is a tremendous asset." Stephan said.
Stephan was followed by Holtschneider.
Holtschneider said that with the changing economy, "there are a lot of obstacles facing rural communities."
He emphasized that communities must "justify the funding need" when applying for grants and loans.
Holtschneider explained that rural communities that are growing are doing so because of local startups, not because of companies relocating to Missouri from out of state. The few companies that do move to Missouri are migrating towards the metropolitan areas.
Holtschneider said the Department of Economic Development manages federal money directed to non-entitled areas. Non-entitled areas include everything outside of the Kansas City and St Louis metropolitan areas.
Tourism is a growing business in rural Missouri, according to Holtschneider. He said people are seeking the rural life experience.
Holtschneider noted the community must decide on their identity and goals.
"You continually ask yourself why," Holtschneider said.
Last to speak was Chris Thompson, president and chief executive officer of West Central Missouri Community Action Agency.
"Our mission and purpose is this, fight the war on poverty." Thompson said.
According to Thompson, WCMCAA serves as the regional housing authority supporting individuals, families, and seniors helping with projects like improved winterization of homes. WCMCAA also helps individuals find employment and training. They operate health clinics and early childhood education centers.
"I could go on and on about the list of opportunities," Thompson said. "Your future is your future, and you own it."
Thompson explained that fighting poverty meant helping people and families lower their expenses.
While not on the panel, Missouri Representative Patricia Pike was in attendance and was invited to speak. Pike talked about a legislative project underway to help rural communities comply with Environmental Protection Agency waste water projects.
With the official presentations at an end, James Ensor, Gina Ensor's husband, asked if communities were awarded grants and loans for a project, what would have to be done to maintain them.
Van Winkle explained grant applications will include maintenance or continuation plans.
Macomber said the first step was to identify who would be willing to help identify possible projects and then prioritize them. She suggested taking on small, simple projects to get started.
In a later interview, Gina Ensor said the communities of Northeast Vernon County have definite needs.
"It is time to stop talking and start working," she said.