The Trump Administration, along with Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, last week announced the Howard/Cooper County Regional Port Authority is among 20 organizations statewide that are being awarded a total of $1,068,984 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state.

The Port Authority will use a $97,000 grant to make facility improvements and purchase new equipment at the port facilities on the Howard County side of the Missouri River. Thousands of bushels of grain cross Howard/Cooper County Regional Port Authority’s scale each fall to be stored in its grain bins. The project is expected to provide greater support for local grain producers, as well as improving Missouri's river port infrastructure.

“When rural, small businesses expand and do well, it leads to a positive impact on the economy of the communities they reside in and serve.  USDA Rural Development’s highly competitive Rural Business Development grant program partners with these businesses to provide funding for expansion, training, technical assistance, and other economic development opportunities ensuring Missouri’s rural communities prosper and grow,” said Trump Administration Official State Director Case.  

“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Missouri in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training, and job-creation activities to small rural businesses.