Local News – Friday, January 12th, 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse a day after they held a special meeting Wednesday to work on the 2018 budget. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in attendance to present the sales tax dollars received by Dent County. She reported the General Revenue Fund sales taxes received came to $88,929.63 and that comes to $11,802.08 more than the county received last January when they took in $77,127.55. That increase is about 15 percent. However, the Road and Bridge Fund sales taxes receipts came in less than what was received in 2017. Williams said they received $35,803.73 while last year, Road and Bridge took in $36,584.70. She went on to report the two jail sales tax funds each brought in $62,844.93 and since November, each fund has brought in $131,396.01. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said there were reports of low hanging limbs that workers would be taking care of before the next storm. One of those limbs was on Dent County Road 6320 that struck a school bus. He also went on to report work crews were getting the equipment ready to plow or treat the roads with the adverse weather expected. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that workers would be filling a rather large pot hole on Dent County Road 6140 to hold it over until the road can be worked on. He wanted to remind everyone that because of the frozen road conditions, grading and patch grading of the county roads could actually make the driving surface worse than it already is. People will need to be patient until the conditions become more favorable for that type of work to be done. Larson went to report that workers would be working on county truck #65 and that workers would also be out checking roads for downed or low hanging limbs. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the Salem Area Community Betterment Association annual Trivia Night would be held on March 16th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. All three commissioners signed a Quit-Claim Deed for the Wishon Family property in Crawford County that was part of the Burlington Northern railroad easement that had been approved by the commission a couple months ago. The Dent County Courthouse will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning and it will be open to the public.

Healthy Dent County (HDC) is proud to announce that it has been chosen to receive tax credits through the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Donations received through NAP will benefit Healthy Dent County as they expand the Salem Community Center @ the Armory by adding a new gymnasium to the north end of the building and expanding the Fitness Center that will provide recreational and health benefits for all ages. Credits can equal 70 percent of the total amount contributed, providing a state tax savings for businesses and individuals who participate, while making a difference in the lives of the citizens of Dent County. The total amount of NAP tax credits approved for Healthy Dent County is $350,000 and they will conduct a capital campaign for the $500,000 needed to begin expansion of the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Road. Along with this $500,000 Healthy Dent County has also received an additional $250,000 grant from a national foundation. It is estimated the new expansion will cost in excess of $1 million so additional fundrasing will need to be obtained. Liz Gruendel, the Chairman of Healthy Dent County, along with Executive Director Sherry Lea, board members and numerous committee members are currently working to finalize plans, write additional grants and raising the funds needed for this project.
Through NAP, businesses and individuals with business income can donate cash, materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; labor; real estate; or stocks and bonds. For additional information on this or any Healthy Dent County project please call 729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The GRO Salem economic development plan will be on full display tonight at the Salem High School Gym starting at about 5:30. They will have informational tables in the gym lobby on a variety of projects and people at the game will also hear a presentation on student internships at local businesses during halftime of the Salem Tiger varsity basketball game. Other information will also be available on downtown streetscape improvement plans, old city hall improvements, “I Heart Salem” and more! Come on out to the game and find out more about the exciting plans for the future of your community.