Grant applications available for community service projects  

Missouri 4-H and FFA chapters planning community improvement service projects can now apply for grant funding through the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Applications for the annual Building Our American Communities Grant (BOAC) Program are available online and being accepted until Dec. 1, 2020.

“Missouri 4-H and FFA members are helping their communities grow and prosper every day,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “The BOAC grants help our young leaders build upon the needs of their communities and be a part of the solution for future generations.”  

The Building Our American Communities Grant Program awards grants of up to $500 to support youth-driven service projects. Since the 1970s, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters throughout Missouri have submitted proposals for specific projects within their communities for consideration for the grants.

For a Building Our American Communities grant application or more information about this grant opportunity, click here!

Governor Parson announces completion of COVID-19 Vaccine plan

On Thursday, Oct. 15, Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri submitted its plan for administering the impending COVID-19 vaccine to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Governor Parson was joined by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams during the weekly briefing to announce the completion of the plan, which was due to the CDC by October 16. 

“This has been an incredible collaborative effort, and I want to thank all of the agencies and partners involved for their hard work and dedication. In the midst of an ever-changing and unprecedented situation, our team of professionals has done outstanding work to develop a detailed plan,” Governor Parson said. “We are in a great place in the planning process and will be well-prepared to take action as soon as a vaccine becomes available.” 

In April, the CDC began communicating with the DHSS Bureau of Immunizations regarding early planning efforts, and multi-agency planning began in July. In August, a larger group of more than 75 State team members, 10 Missouri National Guardsmen, and 50 federal and local partners began working together to develop Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine response plan.

To learn more about Missouri's COVID-19 response, click here!

Governor Parson announces funding for broadband expansion programs

Governor Mike Parson has announced funding for two important programs for broadband expansion throughout Missouri. These programs are two of six launched in July as part of the Rapid Broadband Deployment Initiative, which uses the state's CARES Act funding to expand high speed internet across the state through libraries, telehealth, education and more. 

The Department of Economic Development, along with the Missouri State Library, awarded 39 Missouri libraries more than $870,000 to help provide high speed internet access for telehealth and distance learning in response to COVID-19. The program was designed to provide grants to Missouri’s public libraries for resources such as hotspots and Wi-Fi enabled devices in support of telehealth and students of higher education. 

Governor Parson also announced that 11 broadband projects will be awarded more than $845,000 through the second round of the state's Emergency Broadband Investment Program. These projects will provide high speed internet access to 465 households across eight counties throughout Missouri. The program was designed to reimburse providers that have expanded, or plan to connect, high-speed internet to residents in unserved or underserved areas in the state in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To learn more about Missouri's broadband expansion programs, click here!