Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, November 18, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that he secured more than $11 million in federal funds for critical transportation and revitalization projects in southwest Missouri.

“These critical projects will provide important economic development, revitalization and transportation opportunities in southwest Missouri,” said Bond. “As Missouri’s senior Senator, my job is to fight to send Missouri’s hard-earned tax dollars back home. I will continue to work to make sure my state gets the funds it needs.”

As chairman of the Senate Transportation-Treasury-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee, Bond secured the funds for southwest Missouri in the fiscal year 2006 Transportation-Treasury-HUD Appropriations bill. The final conference agreement on the bill was approved last night and is expected to pass the House and Senate before Congress breaks for Thanksgiving.

Bond was able to secure $11,152,000 for the following key projects in southwest Missouri:

* $2,870,000 - Springfield Branson Airport, Replacement Terminal Construction (with House Whip Roy Blunt)

* $1,650,000 - City Utilities of Springfield bus facilities (with House Whip Roy Blunt)

* $ 1,750,000 - Nevada Airport, Runway Rehabilitation

* $1,000,000 - Springfield Downtown Streetscape Improvements (with House Whip Roy Blunt)

* $1,000,000 - Joplin Downtown Streetscape Development (with House Whip Roy Blunt)

* $1,000,000 - Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Nature Center & Trail

* $750,000 - Students in Free Enterprise World Headquarters for capital improvements (equipment) in Greene County

* $148,000 - Greene County Demonstration Bridge

* $120,000 - Joplin West Bypass Study