Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Nearly 100 Communities One Step Closer to DREAM
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt announced today that 98 Missouri communities responded to his invitation to become one of the state’s designated DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri) communities and that all who applied will benefit from the initiative.
“This outstanding response demonstrates the importance of the DREAM initiative and reflects Missouri communities’ devotion to revitalizing their downtowns,” Blunt said. “The DREAM Initiative will allow us to provide every interested applicant with new resources and information to spark private investment opportunities to the hearts of their hometowns in addition to providing selected DREAM communities a fast track to making their downtown revitalization a reality.”
The DREAM Initiative will designate six to ten cities as DREAM communities, but all applicants will receive technical assistance including an invitation-only seminar and training on downtown revitalization. Through Blunt’s vision, this initiative utilizes the state’s existing resources to lend value and provide opportunity to all communities who took the time to apply. It will offer an array of programs, planning and technical assistance that can help with everything from infrastructure improvements, historic preservation and affordable housing to community services, business development and job creation.
“The numbers of applicants that we received are indicative of the tremendous interest of Missouri communities in promoting growth and quality of life to their citizens,” said Greg Steinhoff, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “It is that solid foundation on which we build our state’s economy and promote our viable communities, skilled workforce and business friendly assets to business owners seeking to locate and expand in Missouri.”
DREAM applications are first screened for completeness, placed into a database and distributed to a team of individuals from the three partner agencies involved including the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Development Finance Board and the Missouri Housing Development Commission, for evaluation and a recommendation for the designation of a DREAM community. The evaluation process will include attention to community capacity, vision, opportunity for private investment, broad community support and a comprehensive approach.
The governor will announce this year’s DREAM communities at the 2006 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, which runs from Sept. 25-27, 2006 in St. Louis.
For more information about the DREAM initiative, visit www.dream.mo.gov. For more information regarding the Governor’s Conference visit www.missouridevelopment.org.
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