Jefferson City qualifies for $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding for COVID-19 relief, but once again needs help putting together an application for it.
The city is requesting project proposals for some of the funds, which would be subgranted to area organizations to complete their projects, which must relate to public service, community facilities and planning that will prevent, prepare for and/or respond to COVID-19.
Of the $2 million the city can apply for through the Missouri Department of Economic Development, $880,000 will go toward community nonprofit projects.
The application already includes $1 million to make Monroe Street two way heading toward Capital Region Medical Center, $30,000 for a housing needs assessment and $90,000 for planning documents of the Jefferson City Fire Department.
In September, the city hosted two public meetings for members of the community to provide input on how the funds should be spent.
The main takeaway from the meetings and a survey that was conducted was a need for affordable housing and additional homeless shelters.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development allows applications for general infrastructure and economic development as well as the public service, community facilities and planning projects Jefferson City is focused on.
Karlie Reinkemeyer, neighborhood services specialist, said the city narrowed its focus as a result of those public input meetings.
The deadline to submit proposals is Dec. 5.
Proposals may only be submitted by local nonprofits with the ability to use the funds, not sub-grant it out.
They must include a detailed description of the project, the need being addressed, how it’ll respond to COVID-19 and a cost estimate with a budget and information on any private funding that will also go toward the project.
For instance, Rachel Senzee, neighborhood services supervisor, previously said the two-laning of Monroe Street qualifies because it will improve access to the Capital Region Medical Center as one of the largest health care providers in the region.
For projects on a community facility, the proposal should include whether architectural plans and zoning approvals are completed yet.
Proposals can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Reinkemeyer in the Department of Planning and Protective Services in City Hall, 320 E. McCarty St. Additional information is available on the city’s website, jeffersoncitymo.gov.