Three southwest Missouri cities among latest DREAM picks

Blunt announced 10 cities for the 2008 program: Strafford, Lebanon, Webb City, Boonville, Farmington, Fulton, Lamar, Louisiana, Macon and Warrensburg, according to a news release. His announcement came at the state’s annual Conference on Economic Development in Kansas City.

DREAM stands for Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri. Now entering its third year, the program provides small and mid-size towns with access to the economic development tools available to larger communities.

DREAM participants are active members of the program for three years. They gain prioritized access to state-supported programs such as technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation, the release said.

“When I tasked the Department of Economic Development to evaluate our economic incentives, they found these tools were underutilized by smaller and medium communities because of their complexity,” Blunt said in the release. “Under the old way, these communities were too often left out of economic development opportunities that larger communities enjoyed.”

The state received 26 applications for this year’s program. All applicants will receive technical assistance, exclusive invitations to revitalization training opportunities and seminars, and information on existing redevelopment programs.

The 20 participating communities chosen in 2006 and 2007 have received more than $46 million in state grants combined for their downtowns, the release said.