Notice of CDBG Public Hearing - SMCOG - Taney County

CDBG PUBLIC HEARING NO. 1

The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 13, 4:00 PM at Taney County Partnership, 4100 Gretna Rd in Branson, MO 65616 to discuss SMCOG’s submission of an application for the Fiscal Year 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Mitigation (MIT) Program to assist Taney County in the development of a comprehensive plan which will assist areas impacted by the 2017 disasters (DR-4317).

SMCOG is interested in obtaining all citizens’ input on community development needs within the county related to the proposed project. As much local participation as possible is needed in order to reflect the true desires of the community as a whole, as well as comments relating to the proposed project application. As part of the hearing process, citizens will be asked to verbally assist in the completion of a Needs Assessment document. The document will detail what the residents feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the community. The county needs as much local participation as possible to reflect the true desires of the community, as well as the comments relating to the proposed project application.  The State has established a maximum application request for each funding category. Activities that are eligible for funding include the installation of critical facility generators, mitigation planning and capacity building, public facility hardening, warning systems and others allowed by law. The particular funding category of interest, Planning, has a maximum funding limit of $150,000 per project. Activities that are eligible in this category include the development of comprehensive plans, individual project plans, community development plans, environmental and historic preservation studies, and others allowed by law. At least 51% of the funds must be used to benefit low-and-moderate income person. No displacement of persons is anticipated.

SMCOG is proposing to update and develop the Taney County Master Plan which is anticipated to provide a community-wide benefit to the County. The plan will be reflective of residents’ input and will serve to guide and inform the County’s decision-making process for many years to come. The total project cost is estimated at $100,000. SMCOG proposes to request $100,000 in CDBG MIT funds to cover the costs of this project. Planning and Capacity Building applications are presumed by HUD to meet the required national objective. The project, if funded, will benefit at least 51% of low/moderate income persons. All citizens, including those in the targeted area, are encouraged to attend in order to comment on the proposed activities.

For more information on the proposed project, contact Kelsi Burton at 417-836-3031 or by email at kelsiburton@missouristate.edu.  If you need special accommodations for the public hearing including LEP assistance, please contact Kelsi Burton by Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 5:00PM. The meeting will be held at an accessible location and SMCOG will make every effort possible to provide reasonable accommodations.