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MACON, MO. -- More than $50,000 in grants are awarded through Macon County Economic Development.

Funds from the landfill fee program will help pay for a ramp at the Macon County Historical Society Museum.  More than $5,000 will be granted to that project.

In the past, some visitors were unable to go inside the museum because of a lack of accessibility.

“It brings people into our community.  Tourism is one of the number one industries in Missouri and throughout the country right now and it's something that we need to invest in.  The museum is a great asset for our area,” said Macon County Economic Development Director Denise Bennett.

Improvements to the sewer system at the Macon County Park are also included in the recent grants.

“This will allow us to better service the people that come and we'll have additional restrooms that will be added.  The campsites, they're going to have additional hookups so this will benefit anyone and everyone that chooses to visit the fairgrounds,” said Bennett.

That project will receive more than $32,000 from the land fill fee program.

The landfill fee program is only a year old and is expected to generate $225,000 each year.

Those funds can be used for grants and low interest loans for small businesses within Macon County.

“I don't think we're gonna fund a shortage of projects that we can contribute towards.  I think the program is excellent, I think the cities and county now understand that it's available.  We're really excited about the projects we've had so far that have applied,” said Bennett.

Bennett is thankful to Macon County citizens for voting on the program last August and is hopeful it will last for a long time.  In six years the program will be put to a vote again.

To find out more about applying for funds, you can call 660-385-5627 or head to www.maconcounty.org.

    
Here is the complete press release on the grants.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Macon County Economic Development awards three new grant projects through the Landfill Fee Program!
The Macon County Economic Development Executive Board approved three grant requests at the July 20, 2010 board meeting.  One grant award went to the City of Macon and two grant awards went to Macon County.  Denise Bennett, Macon County Economic Development Director states “It is obvious that the landfill fee program has had a very successful first year.  This program, voted for by Macon County citizens August 4, 2009, both enables Macon County to recover some of the costs associated with having a landfill and is generating funds to further promote economic development and assist with community improvement projects.” 
The City of Macon grant application was for a feasibility study to determine benefit and cost for an annexation/sewer project north of Macon.  Annexation of properties provides more tax revenues for projects within the city limits.    Up to $15,000 was approved for this project. 

Macon County was awarded a $5,290.80 grant to build an ADA ramp at the Macon County Historical Society Museum.  The museum is a great tourist attraction for our area, having had visitors from 27 states, 3 foreign countries, 9 bus group tours and 3 school tours.  Unfortunately, one bus was turned away due to lack of handicap access and some members are unable to attend activities for the same reason.  The ramp will make the museum ADA compliant and accessible to persons of all abilities.  Check presentation to the Macon County Commissioners on behalf of the Macon County Historical Society will be at the museum on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 2:30 pm.

Macon County’s second grant award of $32,916 will assist with a new sewer project at the Macon County Park.  There are over 100,000 visitors annually that utilize the Macon County Park facilities and grounds, many of which are from other communities and states.  These visitors purchase groceries, fuel, hotel stays, restaurant meals, etc while visiting our community.  The improved sewer will create a better served campground, sewer hook-ups and additional restrooms added to the north side of the Park to better accommodate those attending events.  The upgraded facilities will attract larger scale events and in turn attract more vendors and visitors to Macon County. 

As promised, the landfill fee has enabled Macon County to improve and expand its Economic Development program and enhance our county’s growth and development.  This program, which will be up for evaluation and re-vote in 2016, has already proved successful in providing several communities with funding.  In addition to the three new grants, earlier in 2010, the City of LaPlata received a $15,000 sewer grant, the City of Bevier received a $15,000 grant to complete a much needed sidewalk project – a partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of Macon received $10,000 to assist with the remodel of the new Central Methodist University – Macon campus.  Fall classes at the new campus begin August 23, 2010.
 In addition to grant opportunities, the landfill fee has created a low-interest revolving loan program for small businesses.   Fee collection in 2010 has enabled the Macon County Economic Development Board to provide two Macon County companies with low interest revolving-loans to further expand their businesses. 
From the Macon County Economic Development Board and Executive Director:  A Big Thank You to Macon County citizens and the part you have played in supporting economic development for our area!