JOPLIN, MO.--- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave Joplin city leaders a check worth more than 45 million dollars.
"It's another tool and resource we can use to rebuild Joplin back," states Mark Rohr, City Manager.
Congress approved 300 million dollars of Community Development Block Grant funding to areas impacted by major disasters in 2011.
"They looked at the need throughout Joplin and the country," states Rohr.
City leaders have spent several months looking at how to use these funds.
"What we plan to do is to invest in the storm damaged area and to make it as attractive as possible so everyone possible that can move back in wants to do so and does so," states Rohr.
This is how the City of Joplin plans to use the money. More than 31 million for housing. 6.5 million dollars for infrastructure like sidewalks and tree planting. More than 5 million for economic development specifically the performing arts and depot renovation. More than 2 million dollars for administration activities.
"It's specific to the needs of the community," states Rohr.
City Manager Mark Rohr hopes the proposed budget will spur growth.
"Our goal is to make the EDR area as attractive as possible to draw people back in as a result of the desirability of living in that area," states Rohr.
During the press conference, Rohr said about 78 % of the homes destroyed in the tornado have since been rebuilt.
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