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:

• Ozark Foothills Development Association
• Ripley County Public Housing Authority
• Ozark Foothills Solid Waste Management District (Recycling Center)
• Ozark Foothills Healthcare Consortium
• MoDOT

     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.

     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.

• Clean aluminum cans/items
• Clean, dry brown paper bags
• Corrugated, cardboard broken down boxes.
• Whole glass jars and bottles - clear, green or brown
• Clean, dry newspaper
• Clean plastic milk or soda bottles, lids removed
• Clean tin cans
• White office paper

• Shoe boxes or waxed boxes
• Styrofoam
• Broken glass, window glass, light bulbs or baking pans
• Household cleaning supply bottles
• Hazardous/toxic materials bottles
• Motor oil cans
• Dirty or wet newspapers
• Slick paper such as ads or magazines
• Plastic grocery bags
• Books

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.