$13.6 Million in CDBG Funds Announced for Missouri COVID-19 Response Efforts

The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced today that it will receive $13.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to support Missouri’s COVID-19 response efforts.

“We are fortunate to have the support of the federal government during this challenging time for our state,” Governor Mike Parson said. “The rapid response from HUD will greatly aid us in our efforts to provide assistance to Missourians while we fight this pandemic together.”

The CDBG funds are part of over $57.7 million of HUD grants allocated to the State and individual communities. In addition to CDBG, the grants also include $19 million for the Emergency Solutions Grant program and $720,000 for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.  The State’s $13.6 million CDBG allocation will be allocated to non-entitlement areas across the state, which include incorporated municipalities under 50,000 and counties under 200,000 in population.

“We greatly appreciate this timely allocation from HUD,” said Rob Dixon, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “These funds will go a long way in bringing relief as we continue to work to fight COVID-19.”

The Department will act swiftly to partner with non-entitlement communities and partner agencies to award these CDBG funds for COVID-19 response initiatives. Projects could include, but are not limited to, repurposing buildings into patient treatment centers, providing critical supplies such as ventilators and personal protective equipment, supporting businesses that manufacture medical supplies, and training health care workers for the frontlines of COVID-19 response.

For more information on the statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://ded.mo.gov/coronavirus.