Local communities selected as DREAM Initiative participants

Ozark, Cassville and Monett were selected among other state communities to participate in the 2010 DREAM Initiative, according to a Sept. 27 Missouri Department of Economic Development news release.

The DREAM, or Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri, Initiative helps communities develop and redevelop their downtown areas.

Ozark, Cassville and Monett were selected along with Jackson and Waynesville, according to the release.

The five communities were selected from 10 applicants by the three DREAM Initiative partners - DED, Missouri Development Finance Board and Missouri Housing Development Commission.

“A top priority of Gov. Nixon’s administration is to support economic development to help create jobs,” DED Director David Kerr said in the release.

Communities selected for the DREAM program have access to state-funded professional planning, market studies, professional district formation assistance, public infrastructure financing programs, historic preservation funding, housing financing and peer networking and learning opportunities, according to the DREAM Web site.

The DREAM Initiative, which began in 2006, has secured more than $179 million in public investments and $600 million in private investments for its selected communities, according to the release. Other area communities that have participated are Rolla, Aurora, Lebanon, Neosho, Strafford, Webb City and West Plains.[[In-content Ad]]