In the last month, Sikeston has received almost $4 million in grants for projects across the city. It is just the latest in the grant money Sikeston has received in the last few years as the city is always looking for ways to supplement the city budget.

The grants, which have been announced in the last three weeks, totaled $3,811,491. The City of Sikeston received $770,634 for the expansion of Legion Park while DAEOC, Grace Community Center and the SEMO Food Bank were awarded grants as well. Also, the City of Sikeston was awarded a $10,000 grand from Missouri Humanities for the “Sikeston Honors Veterans Project” in Veterans Park and just last week the Sikeston Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau received $484,138 for a new visitors center and rodeo museum.

Sikeston Director of Public Works Jay Lancaster said city leadership made the decision several years ago to bring in new funding so Sikeston could experience new things.

Grants have helped fund the rail trail, sidewalks on North West Street, Sikeston Municipal Airport, and downtown projects to name a few.

The grants come from all different sources like the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), MoDOT Air, state agencies, Department of Economic Development, Department of Natural Resources, Delta Regional Authority along with many others.

Lancaster said with many of the grants they can’t determine what the funds can be used for.

“We propose projects that fit the criteria,” Lancaster said, adding that it is important for the city to always be ready with projects.

He said the city has a wish list and public input is given. Recently, Sikeston residents took surveys for things like if they wanted pickleball courts while open houses were held for the Legion Park expansion and for the long-term plan for the Recreation Complex.

Lancaster said as grants become available, city officials try and identify a project that will be an acceptable candidate. They then narrow that list based on local match, resources, constructability and if the city has all the resources necessary for the project.

Sometimes the grants become available through events, like a new industry coming to town. When Carlisle Construction Management announced they were coming, the city was able to secure federal and state funding from multiple sources to construct street, water, and sewer infrastructure due to the economic development impact.

“It is important to know what all is out there,” Lancaster said. “We always have to be ready to capitalize on all the funds that are available.”

He said it is important not to have too many projects going at once because there are a lot of provisions in each grant the city must follow. While some grants allow for an administrator, someone from the city is still ultimately responsible for overseeing each project.

Most grants also require a local match and Lancaster said they must be careful with that as well.

“It can add up,” Lancaster said. “You can local match yourself to death.”

City officials will continue to look for ways to constantly improve Sikeston through grant funding. While most grants have specific uses the funds can be spent on, it can still often help in all areas.

“When you have a grant help pay for something, maybe it opens up the city budget where money can be spent on something else,” Lancaster said. (April 17, 2023)