Aurora picked among 10 for downtown assistance

Aurora, located southwest of Springfield, along with Caruthersville, Chillicothe, Clinton, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston and Trenton will have prioritized access for three years to state-supported programs, agencies and funding sources for downtown revitalization efforts. Programs can include technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation.

“I congratulate this year’s DREAM communities and look forward to working with them to provide these new resources to enhance their downtowns and neighborhoods,” Blunt said in a news release. Blunt unveiled the selected communities at the Governor’s Conference for Economic Development, running through Thursday at University Plaza.

There were 42 applicants for the initiative this year. The Department of Economic Development, Missouri Development Finance Board and the Missouri Housing Development Commission evaluated them on community capacity, vision, opportunity for private investment, broad community support and a comprehensive approach.

Last year’s participating communities were Neosho, Sedalia, Cape Girardeau, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett, St. Joseph, Washington and West Plains. There were 98 applicants last year.