Pettis County Awarded ‘Safe Streets and Roads for All’ Grant

On Wednesday, Dec. 13th Pettis County was awarded a $266,120 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant by the Department of Transportation.

This award will be used by the County to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants, Planning and Implementation and requires an eligible action plan be in place before applying to implement projects and strategies.

This grant was facilitated due to the diligent work of Pettis County Grants Director James Theisen, who has secured over $2.1 million of funding for the 2023 fiscal year.

When hearing the news about being awarded the grant, Western Commissioner Jim Marcum commented, “Yet another achievement for Pettis County, we find ourselves once again on the receiving end of a grant. This continued success can be largely attributed to our involvement with the National Association of Counties (NACo), through which I became acquainted with this grant opportunity. We aim to leverage this federally funded grant to address and support our community's specific local priorities."

This County-wide action plan will serve as the foundation for future projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing roadway safety throughout the County. The grant operates on an 80/20 matching basis with Pettis County contributing the whole local contribution, which stands at $66,530. The action plan will include City of Green Ridge, City of Houstonia, City of La Monte, City of Smithton, Village of Hughesville, and City of Windsor.

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When reflecting on the impact of the grant, Eastern Commissioner Israel Baeza said, “It is crucial that we continue to advocate for small municipalities in our great County on initiatives like this. I am proud to have played a part in the pursuit of this grant, we remain steadfast in our commitment to further elevate the safety standards and overall quality of our roadways, ensuring they stand as models of safety and excellence within our community."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

Presiding Commissioner Bill Taylor expressed gratitude for the support and resources provided by the SS4A program, emphasizing the significance of community-driven initiatives to address local safety concerns by concluding, “The awarded grant will enable Pettis County to take proactive measures to enhance public safety by upgrading our roads, creating a lasting impact on the well-being of its residents.”