2 • JULY 22, 2022 bransonglobe.com
City seeking $19.9 million in ARPA grant funds
W. Hwy 76 improvements celebrated (Special to Branson Globe)
Improvements continue on 76 Country Boulevard By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer The revitalization of Branson’s 76 Country Boulevard is well underway and the city is celebrating the completion of the first phase of the project. The first phase of the revitalization covered the area between the Branson Ferris Wheel and Presley’s Country Jubilee Theater. Referred to as Segment Three, the area now proudly features three new pedestrian crosswalks, professional landscaping and irrigations, new water lines, benches, 40,000 square feet of new sidewalks, a well-lit corridor with 31 new street lights and 36 pedestrian lights, and no overhead utility lines. Total cost for the project was
$22 million dollars, money that came from a partnership between the City of Branson’s Infrastructure Tourism Tax and the 78 Entertainment Community District. A 76 Re-Creation Celebration, marking the completion of the first phase of the revitalization project, included a ribbon cutting ceremony and comments from some of the key participants in the project. “Just take a drive and you’ll notice a huge difference,” said Branson Alderman Clay Cooper. “Tax dollars well spent.” Keith Francis, City of Branson Public Works and Engineering Director noted that improving 76 Country Boulevard was someSEE HWY 76, PAGE 22
Submitted to Branson Globe The Branson Board of Aldermen approved 15 different resolutions at their last regular meeting on July 12, 2022, that authorize the City to apply for Missouri American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that total $15,008,000 for Utilities and $4,897,600 for Public Works and Engineering. The City of Branson has submitted these grant applications and is now waiting to hear from the State if they will be awarded. This is supposed to happen in October. These are matching grants. If all grants are approved, the city would contribute $4,966,400. These 15 projects are listed below: • Dewey Bald Water System Improvements Project • Neighborhood Water Line Re-
placement Project • Lift Stations #10 And #34 Project • Cured-In-Place-Pipe Lining Of Sewer Mains and Manhole Rehabilitation Project • Lift Station #46 – Install Pumps and Controls Project • Lift Station #17 – Force Main Replacement Project • Lead Service Line Inventory Project • River Valley Estates Stormwater Improvement Project • Celtic Bridge Project • Caudill Way Low Water Crossing Project • Fall Creek RV Estates Project Stormwater Improvement Project • Eiserman Street/Lakewood Estates Subdivision Stormwater Improvement Project • Cliff Drive Stormwater Im-
provement Project • Brook Court Stormwater Improvement Project • Hiawatha Heights Subdivision Stormwater Improvement Project To read more about each proposed project and the ARPA funds requested, click on the “HTML Agenda Packet” for the July 12 Board of Aldermen Regular meeting in the Agenda & Minutes section of the city’s website, BransonMo.Gov. ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal aid package passed by Congress in 2021 to provide financial aid to families, governments, businesses, schools, non-profits and others impacted by the pandemic. Of that $1.9 trillion, $350 billion is going to state and local governments as part of the Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Cuban refugee to share at CWA meeting Submitted to Branson Globe Concerned Women for America Missouri’s Springfield and Taney County Prayer/Action Chapters invite you to their joint meeting on Saturday, August 20, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The meeting will be at The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell in Springfield. Keynote speaker for the meeting is Martha White, who will share about her family’s experience as Cuban refugees. Don’t miss Martha’s compelling story of her childhood in Castro’s
Cuba. She was born to an affluent Cuban family; her father held a government position and managed extensive family properties. However, all that changed when Castro began confiscating guns and property, changing the currency to render money and investments worthless, and giving handouts to the poor, creating a ready source of followers as well as creating division as he convinced poorer people that wealth and property ownership, regardless of how hard the per-
son worked for it, was bad. With their lives in danger, particularly her father due to his position and family name, the family was forced to flee for their lives and completely start over in America. A particularly concerning aspect of Martha’s story is the striking similarities between Castro’s takeover of Cuba and the things she sees happening in the United States today. By sharing her story, she hopes to help Americans SEE CWA, PAGE 12
