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March 15, 2013

EDA awards Joplin schools funding for Franklin Tech

By Debby Woodin Globe Staff Writer

JOPLIN, Mo. — The federal Economic Development Administration has approved a $3 million grant for Joplin schools.

The grant was sought for the school district to help rebuild Franklin Technical School as part of an effort to obtain redevelopment funding for Joplin.

"It's exciting," said David Wallace, CEO of the city's contracted master developer firm Wallace-Bajjali Development Partners, of the award. "I think what we have seen since early on is the city and the school district working together for the benefit of the community."  

The city is awaiting word on whether the EDA will grant its application for an award to build a larger and modernized Joplin Public Library at a new location within the tornado zone on the northeast corner of 20th Street and Connecticut Avenue.

The Wallace-Bajjali firm proposed an application to the EDA as one piece of the funding for $806 million in projects aimed at spurring Joplin's recovery from the 2011 tornado. Wallace said Friday he hopes to hear an answer on that grant application soon.

 

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