Greene County approved for DED grant

Greene County has been approved for a $250,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

In an Aug. 23 news release, DED announced it has approved funding of $10.5 million for 36 statewide projects under its Community Development Block Grant program.

The $250 thousand Greene County grant will be utilized for housing infrastructure, the release said.

John Fougere with DED said via phone that Habitat for Humanity will handle the funds and will use them to construct 16 homes for low-income families in the Legacy Trails in Greene County.

The largest grants given were $500,000 each: one to the city of Gerald for wastewater system improvement and one to the city of Vienna also for wastewater system improvement, according to the release.

Funds will be distributed following environmental reviews by the selected grant recipients, which usually entails hiring a consultant to make sure the area is clear of hazardous substances, Fougere said.