Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, March 14, 2003

JOPLIN, MO - Senator Kit Bond today announced that he secured $1.8 million for wastewater needs in Joplin. As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bond was able to secure the $1.8 million in federal EPA wastewater funds in the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which was recently signed into law.

"These dollars are critical for Joplin," said Bond. "Cleaning our wastewater is literally a dirty business. But it must be done to allow for increased expansion, growth and jobs for the community."

Jasper and Newton Counties, as well as the City of Joplin, are growing. Local and state redevelopment dollars in the area are helping the City of Joplin to annex additional commercial property. In order to keep pace with the new growth additional investments in infrastructure are needed, such as the proposed wastewater improvements.

The $1.8 million in federal dollars will begin to provide the necessary domestic and industrial wastewater treatment capacity for the growing industrial project. The wastewater dollars will allow the proposed sewage system will connect to an existing line. Funds will also provide an interceptor sewer that will take an even greater amount of wastewater expected to be generated by the Crossroads area.

"I appreciate working with Joplin's community leaders," said Bond. "I look forward to this continued partnership and will continue to work to ensure the voices and needs of southwest Missouri are heard in Washington."

Kit Bond is now in his third Senate term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.