The Webster County Courthouse, Road and Bridge Department and Emergency Management offices will be closed the following dates for the observance of holidays:

Thursday and Friday, December 23-24, 2021 – Christmas

Friday, December 31, 2021 – New Years

The federal legislation titled the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The broad-ranging spending bill includes financial aid to state and local governments. As a consequence, all of Missouri’s counties and municipalities will receive direct payments to help combat the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The payments are based on population. At this time, the amounts are only estimates – but those preliminary figures are substantial. For instance, the estimated payment for Webster County is $7,678,625. This does not include payments to municipalities, which have their own separate funding in the legislation. Estimates for municipalities located in the county include:

• Diggins – $59,492.61
• Fordland – $155,822.76
• Marshfield – $1,392,827.07
• Niangua – $78,463.94
• Rogersville – $711,516.92
• Seymour – $370,217.19

Other local government organizations, including school districts and health departments, also have separate allocations under the Act.

Northern Commissioner Dale Fraker stated, “We’ve been following the federal legislation closely, and are waiting for additional guidance from federal and state authorities on the authorized uses of the funds.” Presiding Commissioner Paul Ipock agreed, saying “it would not be wise to make any statement or commitment on how the funds will be used, as it may take awhile before we know many details.”

This is the second allotment Webster County has received during the pandemic. The first, known as the “CARES Act”, provided $4.6 million in funds – which was used for a blend of aid to local governments, businesses, and non-profits. However, it should not be assumed that this new program will be at all similar to the first.

The Commission has agreed upon the following set of guiding principles, to prepare for the time when enough information is available to make decisions on the best use of Webster County’s allotted funds:

1. Enhance public safety
2. Encourage people to go back to work
3. Facilitate the continued safe re-opening of the local economy
4. Provide the greatest long-term benefit to the broadest range of county citizens possible

Southern Commissioner Randy Owens said that, of the options known today, the Webster County Commission is leaning toward finding opportunities to make a long-term impact on economic development. “It’s our children and grandchildren who will be paying back the debt for this legislation. Locally, we need to do the best we can to use the portion we’ll receive on things that will last.”

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), in partnership with the Webster County Commission, has been selected to receive a federal grant under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.

The grant asked for design and construction funds for substantial safety improvements along the U.S. Hwy 60 corridor in southern Webster County, including the construction of an outer road beginning at State Hwy Z near Fordland running to a new interchange at State Hwy A. The total cost estimate for the project, including design and construction, is $18,495,070.00.

The effort grew out of a two-year partnership involving BNSF Railway, MoDOT’s Multi-Modal (Railway Safety) Division, Webster County, and the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) in developing a ‘U.S. Hwy 60 Corridor Study’. Over a dozen public meetings were held during that time, involving local municipalities, school districts, first responders, and the general public.

A one-page summary showing highlights of the study’s findings is found here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Study – At A Glance

A full copy of the Plan is also available, here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Master Plan.  It’s a large file.  If you have trouble opening it, you may wish to contact the Webster County Clerk’s office at: [email protected] or by calling – 417-859-VOTE(8683).

Funding of the project calls for nearly $10.4 million in federal grant dollars, along with contributions by other partners. “This is a game-changing investment in a safer future for southern Webster County”, said Presiding Commissioner Paul Ipock. “And it’s great to see recognition from MoDOT that this fast-growing rail and highway corridor plays a major role moving freight throughout the country. For our rural community, it is an important lifeline for our economy.”

At this time, there is no schedule for when design will be complete and construction might begin. However, Southern Commissioner Randy Owens was quick to express the County’s appreciation to the federal officials involved, as well as to all those who have played a hand in this important victory – including engineer Steve Prange and his team at Crawford Murphy & Tilly (CMT). “They’ve been great to work with”, he said.

Finally, Northern Commissioner Dale Fraker emphasized that he hopes this is the just the first step of many. “We are a fast-growing community, and we have to look to the future. And I believe good things are coming to Webster County.”

During the Spring of 2020, Webster County successfully completed a long-range transportation plan for the entire 22-mile stretch of U.S. Hwy 60 cutting across the southern part of the County.

The study was funded in partnership with BNSF Railway, the Multi-Modal Division of the Missouri Department of Transportation, and the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG).  Other partners included: the cities of Fordland, Rogersville, and Seymour – and the Village of Diggins.  The consulting engineers on the project were: Crawford Murphy & Tilly Inc. (CMT).

A one-page summary showing highlights of the study’s findings is found here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Study – At A Glance

A full copy of the Plan is also available, here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Master Plan.  It’s a large file.  If you have trouble opening it, you may wish to contact the Webster County Clerk’s office at: [email protected] or by calling – 417-859-VOTE(8683).

The Webster County Commission wishes to thank all those involved – including those from the communities along the corridor who attended one of the twelve public meetings held to formulate the recommendations in the Plan.