JACKSON TO SEEK STATE GRANT TO SPUR BUSINESS

JACKSON, Mo. -- The City of Jackson will apply for a state grant of $140,000 to make infrastructure improvements that will enable a company within the city to expand.

Midwest Sterilization, a company that sterilizes everything from medical instruments to spices, plans to expand its facility, adding 15 jobs to its work force.

The city's application to the Community Development Block Grant Program would provide money to pave Dogwood Avenue, enabling the company to build on and provide it with additional access.

City administrator Steve Willson said the city will pave the street "as far as the money will take us."

Adjoining landowners have indicated a willingness to participate in continuing the project, Wilson said.

During its meeting Monday night, the Jackson aldermen approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to pursue the funding. Alderman Larry Hall abstained, citing business reasons.

Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association, said the grant should take from 30 to 60 days to process.

U.S. 61 resolution

The board also approved a resolution pushing the Missouri Department of Transportation to continue studying improvements aimed at moving traffic along U.S. 61 through the city.

MoDOT last year was considering a plan that would have run heavy trucks down South High Street, site of many of the city's oldest businesses and a considerable amount of foot traffic.

"That was unacceptable," Mayor Paul Sander said.

He noted that the city can do nothing about these traffic problems because the state has jurisdiction over U.S. 61.