Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Announces First Annual DREAM Initiative Inductees
ST. LOUIS–Gov. Matt Blunt announced today the 10 Missouri communities selected as the first inductees into his DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri) Initiative. The initiative will help communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts.
Cape Girardeau, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett, Neosho, Sedalia, St. Joseph, Washington, and West Plains are the first annual DREAM communities.
“Today I congratulate these communities as the first to be given this special designation. They represent the potential for all Missouri’s diverse and historic towns and cities working to revitalize their downtowns and attract new private investment opportunities to the hearts of their communities,” Blunt said.
Selected communities will be active members of the DREAM Initiative for three-years. During that time they will have streamlined access to available programs including both technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation. Supported by DREAM’s comprehensive approach to concentrate resources and available tools these communities will accomplish their revitalization and redevelopment goals more quickly than ever before.
The 10 communities are at different places in their downtown redevelopment processes, and assistance will be provided to each to best meet their specific needs. Some DREAM communities are just beginning revitalization efforts so the first year will include forming a sustainable non-profit and creating a vision for their downtowns. Others are further along, so assistance might include identifying and prioritizing projects and putting the financing tools in place to complete those projects.
In addition all 98 applicants will benefit from the governor’s new initiative as well. They will receive:
- technical assistance
- exclusive invitations to a series of revitalization training opportunities and seminars
- the chance to learn about existing redevelopment programs, how they work and how to best access available tools
“Through Gov. Blunt’s vision, this initiative best utilizes the state’s resources and provides opportunities to all communities who took the time to apply,” said Greg Steinhoff, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Applications were evaluated by representatives from the three DREAM Initiative partners, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Development Finance Board and the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The evaluation process included confirming applications were complete and attention to community capacity, vision, opportunity for private investment, broad community support and a comprehensive approach.
Blunt announced the DREAM inductees at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development. Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.
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