South Central Ozark Council of Governments

06/10/2026

The SCOCOG Office will be closed in observance of Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, 2026. We will reopen on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 8:00.

06/08/2026

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) defines active transportation as any form of self-propelled, human-powered travel, such as walking or bicycling. As technological advances in transportation have made it easier to rely on vehicles, active transportation planning helps encourage physical activity and improve health. By focusing on enhancing access to different modes of active transportation, this plan aims to boost physical health and well-being in the community.

If you are a resident of the City of Cabool, please feel to take the survey below regarding Cabool's Active Transportation Plan. Your input will enable possible future funding for sidewalks in the City of Cabool. The survey has three questions, and will take approximately one minute.

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

06/08/2026

The Raymondville School has received funding for new storm shelter.

The Raymondville R-VII School was awarded $1,750,000 in (FEMA) Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding (HMGP) to construct a tornado shelter at the Raymondville R-VII School.

Many residents already live within a five-minute drive or walk from the proposed site. The room will hold approximately 400 students, staff, and residents during a storm event and will be approximately 4,320 square feet, plus areas for circulation, restrooms, storage, and mechanical and electrical spaces.

The room will also act as four much-needed classrooms.

Construction should begin in the summer of 2027.

06/02/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2026

DRA to Make $15 Million Available for Criticial Infrastructure Projects

Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is making $15 million available to support critical infrastructure projects throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

Funded through the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), DRA will make strategic investments toward projects addressing basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure and flood-control needs within communities across the DRA’s eight-state service area. Award amounts will range between $250,000 to $1 million. The deadline to apply for the 2026 CIF is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.

“The Delta Regional Authority is proud to announce this $15 million investment to strengthen economic and community development throughout the Delta region,” said Thomas Hudson, Chief Programs Officer. “By expanding access to modern, reliable infrastructure, we are enhancing connectivity, supporting business growth, and improving quality of life for residents across our communities.”

In 2025, DRA invested approximately $45.9 million toward 35 projects through the Community Infrastructure Fund, enhancing critical public infrastructure and economic opportunity across the Delta region.

For more information about the Community Infrastructure Fund or to apply, visit www.dra.gov. For questions about the program, email [email protected].

About the Delta Regional Authority

The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 255 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

06/02/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2026

DRA to Make More Than $16 Million Available for Infrastructure, Workforce and Business Development Needs

Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is making more than $16 million in funding available through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), a funding opportunity supporting economic and community development needs across DRA’s eight-state service region.

As one of DRA’s main investment tools, SEDAP targets projects addressing basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, in addition to workforce and business development needs for communities within DRA’s 255 counties and parishes. Awards will range from $50,000 to $500,000. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2026.

“Through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program, the Delta Regional Authority is able to make strategic investments that expand opportunity and drive prosperity across our region,” said Thomas Hudson, Chief Programs Officer. “From improving infrastructure to strengthening the workforce, these investments lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Delta region.”

In 2025, DRA invested approximately $37 million toward 87 projects as a result of SEDAP, supporting community infrastructure, workforce development and long-term economic growth across the region’s eight states.

To learn more about the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program or to apply, visit www.dra.gov. For questions about the program, email [email protected].

About the Delta Regional Authority

The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 255 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

05/18/2026

The SCOCOG Office will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026 in observance of Memorial Day, and will reopen Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 8:00.

05/15/2026

The 30-day public review and comment period for the draft 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is underway.

The draft STIP lists the next five years of transportation projects planned by state and regional partners, and details $13 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation across the state.

The proposed program is available for public review and comment on MoDOT's website at https://www.modot.org/DRAFTSTIP until June 5.

Draft 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program CommentsThe draft 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2031). The proposed...

05/12/2026

05/05/2026

MoDOT - WORK WITH US: Slow Down and Stay Alert

Warmer weather means the start of a historic season of construction and maintenance work on Missouri’s roads and bridges. In 2025, Missourians can expect to see 800-1,000 work zones on any given day. Within these work zones are thousands of individuals just doing their jobs to help make transportation in Missouri better. Let's do our part to keep them safe, so that they can go home and complete this important work.

Remember, not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway. In any case, slowing down and putting the phone down are two steps all Missourians can take to make work zones safer.

Remember: We all have a role to play in keeping work zones safe. Slow down and put the phone down while driving. We're all better off for it.

Speed and distracted driving are the leading causes of work zones crashes in Missouri. Last year, aggressive driving contributed to more than 50% of work zone crashes last year. In Missouri, Motorists are required by the ‘Move Over’ law to slow down or change lanes when approaching law enforcement, emergency response vehicles and highway workers parked on the side of the road or in a lane.

Driver inattention is an equally concerning cause of crashes in work zones. Last year, more than 350 work zone crashes in Missouri involved a driver distracted by their phone. The average text takes five seconds to read. Traveling at 55 mph, you will travel more than the length of a football field—blindfolded. MoDOT’s slow moving maintenance operations move as slow as 10 mph and if you aren’t paying attention to the road, you will come up on the closed lane very quickly.

Help us keep work zones safe for everyone, especially the men and women who work in them every day. Slow down and put down the phone.

05/05/2026

A ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony was held for the City of West Plains Overpass on May 1. Executive Director Trent Courtney and Grants Manager Jess Moran were in attendance.

State Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith attended the ceremony, along with 33rd District State Sen. Brad Hudson, 154th District State Rep. Lisa Durnell as well as Howell County commissioners, city council members, current and former City employees, and Mayor Topliff.

The $9 million project was supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Community Development Block Grant, the Delta Regional Authority Missouri Department of Transportation, Burlington Northern Railway, Leonardo DRS, and the City of West Plains.