Ozark awarded $2M infrastructure grant

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The city of Ozark has been awarded a nearly $2 million grant for infrastructure work.

The funding – provided by the Missouri Department of Economic Development through the Community Development Block Grant program – would be used to extend and connect 17th and 18th streets east of Highway 65, according to a news release. Officials say the work would improve infrastructure and transportation connectivity for residents, businesses and users of the Chadwick Flyer Trail.

“We are thrilled with the announcement from DED and see the award in grant funds as validation of our local and regional transportation planning efforts, which have long identified transportation access in this area as a key strategic priority,” Ozark City Administrator Eric Johnson said in the release.

The municipality partnered with private companies Creative Audio, Driven Fulfillment and Marketing LLC and Nail Supply Inc. to secure the grant, with the release pointing to the businesses' "private investment and job creation."

City officials said in the release that the collaboration represents "the first time in Missouri that multiple firms have collaborated on such a project to boost private investment and job growth."

Additionally, the road extension would cross the Chadwick Flyer Trail just south of the planned Highway 65 overpass, according to the release. A portion of the grant would be used to fund safety infrastructure for the trail crossing.