GRANT SHOULD HELP END FLOODING IN LILBOURN

LILBOURN, Mo. -- When it rains in Southeast Missouri, it pours. When it pours in Lilbourn, it floods.

But a Community Development Block Grant announced recently by Gov. Mel Carnahan should help put an end to the flooding.

The community will receive $319,200 through the state program to improve the town's streets and drainage system. The Lilbourn Board of Aldermen will also kick in some funding or in-kind work toward the project.

Second Ward Councilman Dale Ray, who has worked with other officials in seeking the grant, said he had to call state officials just find out if it was true when word began to get out about the funding for the town's project. When the call finally came into City Hall Tuesday, Ray said there were congratulations all around.

"We are really excited about this. It will be a good boost for Lilbourn to get the drainage problem taken care of. I can't wait for them to get started on it," Ray said.

The drainage problem occurs, partially because the town is located in a low area with only two outlets, both into the Little River Drainage System, Ray said.

Over the years ditches and culverts draining the town's streets have deteriorated, leading to water damaging the streets.

"Drainage has been a problem since back in the 1980s," said Ray. "Heavy rains were flooding areas in the town occasionally back then, then it became an increasing problem. Now each spring, we have flooding." Working with the city's engineer, the town board put together cost estimates, surveys and proposals to alleviate the problem. But like so many small towns, Ray noted, there just wasn't money in the town's coffers to fund the improvements.

The Bootheel Regional Planning Commission pointed the way to grant funds and assisted in writing a proposal for a Community Development Block Grant in March.

Once the funding arrives, plans call for bids to be sought for improvements to Seventh, Eighth and Ninth streets. The town board will choose a contractor and hopefully by spring 2001, work should be under way.

According to Ray, the majority of the construction will be funded through the grant. He expects the city's portion to include work such as cleaning out the Seventh Street ditch.

This is the first such state grant funds the city has received in a number of years according to Patsy Schaffer, city clerk.

Mayor Larry Hamilton described the grant as a "real blessing ... It will really help us get rid of the water out of some of the lower areas of town. It is work that has been needed for years." The mayor added that officials are already thinking about more improvements. As soon as the documents are signed for this CDB grant, Hamilton said they will begin seeking funding for other areas which need work.

Lilbourn was one of seven communities to receive part of the state funds totaling $2.1 million.

The funds are awarded in a competition administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development for projects that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income families.