Can a federal grant save a deteriorating county building?

BLOOMFIELD — The Stoddard County Commissioners were provided Monday with suggestions and grant information to address deterioration of the original Stars and Stripes building.

Shuttered since 2009, the old Stars and Stripes building is owned by the county. It most recently housed the Stoddard County collector’s office.

Concerned volunteer, Amy Haas said, “If you choose not to sell the old building, I have some information and you can do what you want to with it. It is a CDBG grant.”

It was learned that the Community Development Block Grant is a federal program that provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable communities. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“My concern is if the building goes to bid and the high bidder may not be able to complete the building... whether they truly have the funds for the building,” Haas said. “If it sits too long and starts falling, we have an issue of not having funds to take the building down.

“This grant wants the building to be used for public use up to $500,000. I wanted to let you know there is something available for this building,”

Haas asked the commissioners, “Do you have any current CDBG grants?” All commissioners responded “No.”

“The county can apply. I offer this as an option if you are interested in investing in this building,” said Haas.

County Clerk, Cecil Weeks asked, “Do you know if the old Stars and Stripes building is on the historic buildings list?” Haas replied, “I don’t think so. However, the building is falling down and the goal would be to get the building structurally sound.”