Southwest Missouri Council of Governments

06/02/2026

Why does this matter for our region?

Rural roads carry a heavy burden. In Southwest Missouri, rural traffic fatalities occur at higher rates than in urban areas - and many of our communities have limited resources to address them alone. That’s why SMCOG is developing a Regional Safety Action Plan: to identify our highest-risk locations and what can be done to best improve safety for everyone across the region.

Learn more about the project:

Regional Opportunities Using Transportation Engineering Safety

05/15/2026

Rural schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations - don’t miss this opportunity to learn about funding available through USDA Rural Development’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program!

SMCOG will host a FREE workshop on Wednesday, May 27 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to help potential applicants better understand the program, eligible projects, and application process. Lunch will be provided!

The DLT program helps fund equipment and technology that support:
🏥 Telemedicine and rural healthcare access
🎓 Distance learning and educational connectivity
💻 Telecommunications-based services for rural communities

Eligible applicants may include:
• School districts and educational institutions
• Healthcare providers
• Local governments
• Nonprofits
• Tribal organizations
• For-profit businesses
• Partnerships between eligible entities

Missouri had very few applicants last year, so we hope to help connect more rural communities with this valuable funding opportunity and provide technical assistance to interested applicants.

Communities with populations under 20,000 are especially encouraged to attend.
Additional workshop details and registration form is available here:

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Workshop USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 05/15/2026 01:31 PM EDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Join Us for An Upcoming Workshop on USDA's Distance Learning & Telemedicine Program Wednesday, May 27, 2026 11:00 a.m. – 3:...

05/05/2026

Join us this Tuesday, May 5th from 5-7pm to provide feedback on the Goals and Objectives of the Monett Comprehensive Plan. This is a come and go event. Spanish language interpreters will be available.

05/04/2026

Come join our award-winning team and serve a region with rich transportation history! https://www.planning.org/jobs/ad/9326719/

05/01/2026

May is National Bike Month! Time to celebrate the many ways cycling strengthens our communities across Southwest Missouri. 🚲

Kick things off on National Ride a Bike Day (May 3, 2026) - whether it’s a quick ride through your neighborhood or a longer trail adventure. Then keep the momentum going during Bike to Work Week (May 11–17, 2026), leading up to Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15.

These moments aren’t just about getting on a bike, they’re about building healthier lifestyles, supporting more connected communities, and creating safer, more sustainable transportation options across our region.

🚨 Help shape safer roads and routes in your community:
As part of SMCOG’s Regional Transportation Safety Action Plan, we’re gathering input on where people walk, bike, and experience safety concerns. Use our interactive map to drop a pin, share feedback, and highlight opportunities for improvement:
👉 https://wilsonco.mysocialpinpoint.com/smcog

Whether you ride every day or just once this month, your voice, and every mile, makes a difference.

04/17/2026

Stone County, MO is seeking qualified candidates for their Planning and Zoning Director position. This role offers a unique opportunity to help guide thoughtful land use decisions that balance economic opportunity, tourism, and preservation of the area’s exceptional natural resources and rural community character. Download the job description through the link below:

https://www.smcog.org/_files/ugd/40e61a_eb1fd8370e114e008cc8d9edd237fd11.pdf?index=true

04/10/2026

We are hiring for a Transportation Planner! Come join our amazing team - our Executive Director is super cool! 😎

Help shape how communities across Southwest Missouri grow, move, and connect. The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments seeks an Planner with a transportation focus to support regional mobility, comprehensive planning, land use policy, and community development. Housed at Missouri State Universi...

02/21/2026

Our Executive Director recently joined ‘Making Democracy Work’ on KSMU to talk about three Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards that are bringing major improvements to communities in our region.

SMCOG is proud to have written the funding proposals for all three projects, which together represent more than $3 million in new investment when combined with local funding.

Here’s what’s coming to Southwest Missouri:

🔹 Kimberling City – $752,324 General Infrastructure Grant for sidewalk improvements
🔹 Fair Play – $622,594 General Infrastructure Grant for roadway improvements
🔹 Crane – $583,700 Community Facilities Grant for Crane Creek city park improvements

These projects improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life — and they show what strong local partnerships and good planning can accomplish.

If you’d like to hear more about how these grants came together and what they mean for our region, listen to the full interview here: https://www.ksmu.org/show/making-democracy-work/2026-02-18/local-cities-receive-substantial-grants-for-planned-improvement-projects

The Community Development Block Grants were awarded by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

02/05/2026

This week, Congress passed 5 appropriations bills for FY26 including:
Defense;
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education;
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (including several earmarks for specific transportation projects);
Financial Services and General Government;
and National Security, Department of State, and related programs

You can view summaries of each funding bill through the link below.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, with a vote of 217 to 214. This legislation, which enacts five full-year FY26 appropriations bills previously passed by this chamber, is now on its way to Pre...

01/26/2026

WEATHER CLOSURE: Monday, January 26, 2026

Due to ongoing road conditions and the extreme cold warning in effect through Monday at 12 pm (dangerous wind chills expected between -15° to -25°F), the SMCOG office will be closed Monday, January 26, 2026.

Please stay safe, limit travel, and check on neighbors during this dangerous cold.