Ozark
Foothills Regional Planning Commission
The
Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission was designated
by the Governor of the State of Missouri in 1967 under Missouri's
State and Regional Planning and Community Development Act.
The
Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission was created to
facilitate the cooperative effort of its member municipalities
and counties in solving problems and planning the future development
of human, natural, and economic resources of the Ozark Foothills
region. The Commission serves as a guide to local units of government
in accomplishing a coordinated and efficient development of
the region and the promotion of its public health, safety, general
welfare, and economic prosperity in accordance with the area's
existing and future needs.
In
an effort to comply with these provisions, the Ozark Regional
Planning Commission has developed a number of associated organizations,
which include the following:
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| Ozark Foothills Development
Association |
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The Ozark Foothills Development Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit corporation housed with, and utilizing the
same staff as, the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission.
Its purpose is to advance the economic development of the
Ozark Foothills Planning Region through the creation, support,
and nurture of new and expanding businesses and commercial enterprises; to make land,
buildings, and facilities available for economic development
projects; and to undertake collateral efforts supportive of
economic development for the community in its service region.
Currently,
the Development Association administers the following two
projects:
Mutual Self-Help Housing;and,
The Ozark Foothills Business Incubator.
Mutual
Self-Help Housing Program
The Ozark Foothills Development Association,
in conjunction with the USDA, Rural Development, operates
a Mutual Self-Help Housing program in the Poplar Bluff area
of Butler County. Through the Self-Help Housing Program
the OFDA helps families achieve their dreams of homeownership.
Income eligible families keep housing costs down by providing
their own labor for construction. This labor, which
must equal 65% of the work necessary to build a home, enables
the families to receive low interest loans from USDA without
a down payment. Construction on the first group of four
homes began in June 2004. Since that time, the program
has produced eighteen homes. For more information, contact
Skip Hinrichs, SHH Program Officer at (573) 785-6402. |
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| Ripley County Public
Housing Agency |
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The Ripley County Public Housing Agency strives to provide
quality, affordable housing to income-disadvantaged individuals
and families in the Southeast Missouri counties of Butler,
Carter, Reynolds, Ripley, and Wayne. Over 300 families are
provided assistance in obtaining safe and livable housing
through this program. In excess of $200,000 per year in rental
assistance is administered by the Ripley County PHA on behalf
of its five-county service area. Perhaps, most importantly,
the housing agency helps its clients to graduate from the
rental assistance program. It does so by offering program
participants the opportunity to develop home ownership assets
through its Family Self Sufficiency Program.
The
Ripley County PHA staff is committed to securing economic
opportunities for program participants by supporting self-sufficiency
and asset development via the Family Self Sufficiency Program
and voucher mobility, which assures the ability of individuals
and families to relocate to employment centers. In addition,
the Ripley County PHA staff utilizes an established social
service agencies' resource network to offer access to support
for elderly as well as disabled individuals and families.
It
is a priority of the Ripley County PHA to provide and promote
assisted housing for those most in need so as to advance the
economic and social well-being of the participating individuals,
families, and communities it serves. |
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| Ozark Foothills Solid
Waste Management District (Recycling Center) |
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The Ozark Foothills Solid Waste Management Distrcit (Recycling Center)
is located in the industrial park at
1625 Rowe Parkway in Poplar Bluff. The center is administered
by the Solid Waste Management
District, which serves Butler,
Carter, Reynolds, Ripley, and Wayne counties. Recycling and
resource recovery efforts of many kinds are conducted throughout
the region by the District. Its efforts are supported
by a grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources'
Solid Waste Management Program. |
| Materials Accepted |
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Clean aluminum cans/items
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Clean, dry brown paper bags
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Corrugated, cardboard broken down boxes.
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Whole glass jars and bottles - clear, green or brown
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Clean, dry newspaper
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Clean plastic milk or soda bottles, lids removed
- Clean
tin cans
- White
office paper
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Material No Nos |
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Shoe boxes or waxed boxes
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Styrofoam
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Broken glass, window glass, light bulbs or baking pans
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Household cleaning supply bottles
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Hazardous/toxic materials bottles
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Motor oil cans
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Dirty or wet newspapers
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Slick paper such as ads or magazines
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Plastic grocery bags
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Books
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Directions |
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From the City of Poplar Bluff, continue south on Hwy. 142 to
the Industrial Park entrance. Turn right (west) on Rowe Parkway.
(If coming from the south on Hwy. 142, turn left onto Rowe Parkway.)
Continue west on Rowe to the last building on the right. Our
facility is a large white metal building with a red roof. |
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| Ozark Foothills Health
Care Consortium |
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The
Ozark Foothills Health Care Consortium is a cooperative
consisting of 19 members drawn from the medical, social service,
educational, and governmental communities. Since its inception,
the consortium has addressed the significant needs for improved
medical care within the Ozark Foothills, a five-county region
in southeast Missouri. Its mission is to combat major health
care challenges in the area, such as low infant-immunization
rates, teenage pregnancy, tuberculosis, and the lack of essential
medical services.
The
consortium has already initiated three successful single-purpose
healthcare projects including the operation of a dental clinic
and medical clinic for the indigent and underserved from 1999-2004.
It has undertaken an area-wide needs assessment, prioritization,
and planning necessary to move the group forward to full Network
status.
In
addition to conducting health care planning for the region,
the Consortium functions as the Advisory Board for the Foothill
Families Support Project. In this capacity, the
group provides general oversight to Project personnel regarding
child abuse and neglect prevention activities.
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