Cape County agrees to sponsor tax credit program for foster home

The Cape Girardeau County Commission agreed Thursday to serve as the governmental sponsor for a Missouri Department of Economic Development Neighborhood Assistance Program project to benefit Jackson's Hope Children's Home.

Hope Children's Home, a long-term and emergency foster home that serves Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties, is applying to receive about $200,000 in tax credit vouchers that can be exchanged for community donations. Kristy Mehner, director of Hope Children's Home, said donors will receive $1 in tax credit for each dollar donated.

New Vision Youth & Family Services, a not-for-profit in Cape Girardeau, is the project's agency sponsor.

In other business, commissioners received a recommendation by the Cape Girardeau County Board of Development Disabilities for the appointment of a new board member to fill one of its four vacancies. The board forwarded the application of Tom Gibbons of Cape Girardeau, an optometrist whose son has a developmental disability.

Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy advised the commission to review the application. The board has functioned with a reduced membership since July. In March, Tracy said he was concerned about appointing new members during ongoing legal proceedings. The board has been embroiled in lawsuits with the local sheltered workshop, VIP Industries, since March 2011.

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Sq., Jackson, MO