BUSINESS MEMO: STATE GRANTS

State grants will help two Southeast Missouri towns to improve streets, and draining systems.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded a $203,205 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the city of Malden, and a $319,200 grant to Lilbourn, some cases, Missouri's smaller cities and rural areas need assistance form the state to improve public infrastructure, said Joseph L. Driskill, DED director.

The CDBG program enables the state to partner with Missouri communities in addressing infrastructure improvement needs and resolving health and safety issues.

Malden will use these funds to construct concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters in order to provide the proper drainage of storm water along Garland, Goldsmith, Jones and Tom streets in the eastern portion of the city. In addition, Garland Street will be raised and paved to prevent water from flowing across the road in the future.

Lilbourn will use the funds to install new drain-age ditches and culverts along several streets in order to drain excess water from the east side of the city into a district drainage ditch. Upon completion of the draining system, Ninth Street will be paved, and Seventh and Eking Streets will receive an asphalt overlay.

The awards are part of more than $2.1 million in CDBG funds released by the Department of Economic Development to seven Missouri