McCaskill provides tips on federal grants at workshop in Cape Girardeau

Representatives from state and federal agencies came to Cape Girardeau on Monday to share tips on grant writing and economic development.

About 400 participants from not-for-profit organizations, small businesses and religious organizations attended a workshop at Southeast Missouri State University sponsored by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. McCaskill has been holding the workshops across the state to educate organizations on grant writing.

After her election to the Senate in 2006, McCaskill said she quickly decided the earmark system is flawed.

"If the Democrats are in charge, the Democrats get more money," she said. "If the Republicans are in charge, then they get more money."

McCaskill, who supports competitive grants, said she held the workshop to aid the the process of obtaining funding based on criteria.

The event lasted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and included presentations from 10 agencies. McCaskill hosted a 40-minute question and answer session during the middle of the day. She took questions about grants, stimulus funds and health-care reform.

Health-care reform occupied the majority of the conversation. She said she expects progress in Congress on the issue, but lobbyists from insurance and drug companies are anxious.

"Everyone's nervous and it's a big swirling mess," she said.

She said she does not support a universal single-payer system. The ideal reform will be a compromise to include several options, she said. She said the government option should not get so big "that it's the elephant that stomps on all the bugs in the room."

McCaskill said there have been about four workshops throughout the state since she came into office. Because she does not support earmarks, she said her staff has more time to help constituents obtain grants.

"It frees up their time in a way, I hope, will be more beneficial," McCaskill said.

Jan McElwrath, executive director of the Kennett Chamber of Commerce, said she attended the forum to try to clarify uses for stimulus funds. She said the chamber is contracted by the city of Kennett and she wants to find funding sources for infrastructure projects. She said the workshop also helped her identify resources for other agencies.

"There's a tremendous amount of funding but there's a tremendous amount of ways to access the information," she said. "And that's what's difficult."

Chris Michel, the grants coordinator for Whole Kids Outreach, said he attended the forum to get exposure to new sources of money.

"It helps me in focusing our efforts to find funding," he said.

He said his not-for-profit organization, based in Ellington, helps impoverished families obtain support and prenatal care in six counties. Michel said he often works with legislators, including McCaskill's office, on obtaining grants.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO