The need to make sure federal funds continue to be available for community projects was emphasized by Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Randy Railsback during Monday night’s annual RPC meeting at the North Central Missouri College Barton Ag Campus.
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Railsback gave the commission’s annual report for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, which showed that the RPC currently had $10 million worth of projects in progress and that for the year, the RPC had submitted $32 million in grant proposals. Railsback noted that federal monies through the Community Block Grant and Economic Development Administration programs, which are used to fund various community projects, are usually the first to be cut when the federal government looks to work through its budget problems. He said that it is important for area residents, when they talk with their legislators, to let them know how vital that funding is to the rural communities. He noted that rural areas are the first to provide money that can then be leveraged with the federal funding to pay for projects such as water and sewer improvements, bridge replacement, road work, etc. It is vital that legislators continue to be reminded of the need for those funds, he said.
NCMC Foundation Director Steve Maxey gave the welcome on behalf of the college. Following the introduction of RPC staff members, Missouri Director of Agriculture Jon Hagler spoke.
The meeting ended with election of officers for the coming year. They include Chris May, presiding commissioner of Sullivan County, chairman; Randy Wade, associate commissioner of Linn County, vice chairman; Jack Hodges, presiding commissioner of Harrison County, secretary; and Kerry Sampson, Trenton city administrator, treasurer.