By DONNA FARLEY
Associate Editor
and
DENISE KINDER
Staff Writer
MALDEN, Mo. -- More than $150,000 in grant money has been awarded to the city of Malden to help with tornado recovery efforts following an EF2 twister in February.
The Delta Regional Authority has approved $75,000 to help Malden rebuild their municipal electric system, including electric poles and cables, labor, equipment and purchase of a backup generator, Gov. Eric Greitens said Wednesday.
The governor announced during an appearance in Poplar Bluff earlier this month that he was working with DRA to secure additional funds for the city.
"When a tornado struck Southeast Missouri, we told the rest of the state about a resilient community that remained unbroken in the face of danger and damage," Greitens said Wednesday. "We wanted you to know that we're still with you, helping to rebuild and repair what you've lost. We want the state to know that the people of Malden are tough, and we know they'll rebuild and rise up twice as strong."
Nearly $80,000 has also been approved for debris removal and initial electrical line repair from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The Bootheel Regional Planning Commission worked with Malden officials to submit an emergency community development block grant for these funds.
"We appreciate the funding from DRA and state, who understood how important it is for us to take care of our community first in our recovery efforts," Malden Mayor Denton Kooyman said.
The city suffered an estimated $1 million in damage to its Ward 2, with nearly 80 homes impacted, according to Kooyman. The level of damage did not reach the amount necessary to qualify for state or federal disaster recovery assistance, he said.
Once the storm touched down, power lines were snapped and generators to the police and emergency management agency failed.
With the help of Malden Board of Public Works, headed by Power Supervisor Ronny Lions, power was restored to the town within three hours, Kooyman said. The police station was able to regain power within 30 minutes.
Those in Ward 2 of the city, who were safely able to regain electric, were re-connected by the middle of the following day, he said.
The DRA money can be used to help assist in repairs previously completed, but the block grant can only be applied to work done from this point, Kooyman explained.
At least one emergency generator will be replaced and a second repaired. These are used by the police department and the county emergency management agency, he said.
Minor repairs to city's electrical system are also ongoing.
The city of Malden and entire area has come together in the wake of the tornado to rebuild, clearly demonstrating a resilient community spirit, said Peter Kinder, alternate federal co-chairman of DRA.
"This investment aligns with DRA's primary goal of investing in infrastructure that supports growth in Delta communities and demonstrates our agency's ability to act quickly to help communities when they need it most," said Kinder.
Malden's recovery efforts initially started with the help of donations from area residents and civic groups, including efforts to provide rent and utility assistance to the 11 families initially displaced by the tornado.
A musical is planned at the Malden Community Center on April 6 by the Hearts to Hearts group with a goal of raising $20,000 for the cause.