The City of Wood Heights has been awarded over $1 million in grant funding through the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s (DED) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to address long-overdue storm sewer repairs. The funding will allow the city to completely overhaul its entire storm sewer system, a much-needed infrastructure improvement for residents.

The project will be funded in two phases that will run concurrently:
Phase 1: $468,042
Phase 2: $542,051

While the bulk of the project is covered by grant funds, Wood Heights has committed $50,000 in matching funds for each phase, bringing the city’s total contribution to $100,000.

According to Wood Heights City Clerk Merry Marler, the project is a crucial step toward broader city improvements.

“We’ve got to get this done before we can even try to start with street repairs,” Marler said. “This has been a big need for a long time, and we’re just really excited to get started.”

The storm sewer system, which manages rainwater runoff and prevents flooding and erosion, is a critical component of the city’s infrastructure. Marler emphasized that while Wood Heights contributed matching funds, the project would be completed without putting the city in debt.

“We are debt-free, and we’re going to keep it that way,” she added.

What is the CDBG Program?

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federally funded initiative administered by state governments to support infrastructure, housing, and community development projects in areas with significant low-to-moderate income populations. The grants are intended to improve public safety, modernize essential services, and strengthen local economies.

“These grants help communities like Wood Heights make critical improvements without overburdening local budgets,” said Lisa Danbury, Small Cities Program Manager for the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC).

Wood Heights qualified for CDBG funding after conducting an income survey, which demonstrated that over 60% of its residents met the program’s income eligibility requirements.

A Competitive Grant Process

Danbury, who worked closely with city officials to navigate the application process, explained that the 2023-2024 CDBG grant cycle was competitive, with many communities vying for funding.

“We were hopeful that Wood Heights would receive at least one grant, so when they were awarded both, we were thrilled,” she said. “I believe their willingness to contribute matching funds demonstrated their commitment to the project, making their application stand out.”

The CDBG competitive grant program funds projects in three major categories:

• General infrastructure (stormwater, roads, and utility improvements)
• Community facilities (such as senior centers and public safety buildings)
• Demolition projects (removal of unsafe, dilapidated structures)
  
  

Project Timeline and Next Steps

Engineering firm Lamp Rynearson, led by Dan Miller, will oversee the project’s design and construction phases. The final designs will be completed in the coming months, followed by an environmental review. If all goes according to plan, construction could begin as early as this summer and be completed by the end of the year.

“The goal is to run both phases of the project concurrently,” Danbury said. “Because the storm sewer system runs beneath the roads, we want to finish this first so the city can move forward with needed street repairs without worrying about tearing up the pavement again later.”

The project’s success also paves the way for future improvements in Wood Heights. Danbury noted that because the city has now qualified for CDBG funding, it will remain eligible for additional grants over the next several years.

“If the city has another project in mind—whether it’s roads, public facilities, or other infrastructure—they can apply in future grant cycles while their eligibility is still valid,” she said.

A Step Toward Growth

Governor Mike Kehoe emphasized the importance of CDBG funding in strengthening Missouri communities.

“These grants will promote the safety of Missourians and help secure a safer and more prosperous future,” Kehoe said in a press release announcing the grant recipients.

With the storm sewer repairs set to begin soon, Wood Heights officials hope this marks the start of a new era of growth and infrastructure improvements for the small community.