ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today visited Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph to receive a briefing from local officials, business leaders, and representatives of the Missouri Air National Guard regarding efforts to protect Rosecrans and surrounding areas from flooding through improvements to area levees. The Fiscal Year 2017 state budget includes $5 million in state support for repair and improvements to levees along the Missouri River to protect the base, as well as nearby farms and businesses in the St. Joseph region.
“The Rosecrans Air National Guard Base is an important asset to this community, our state and our nation. That’s why this project represents a unified effort at every level of government to make sure this project moves forward,” Gov. Nixon said. “I appreciate the work of the Missouri General Assembly to deliver to my desk the additional $5 million to help repair and improve levees along the Missouri River to protect this base, as well as nearby farms and businesses in the St. Joseph region.”
The state funding will serve as a portion of the local share for a larger construction project to improve the levees involving federal funding through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In Fiscal Year 2017, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue its work to improve the levee, including replacement of an earthen gap with a stop-log gap at the railroad crossing and the construction of a new drainage structure at Brown’s Branch. Additional work will include raising the L-455 levee and installing underseepage berms and relief wells.
“Securing funding for levees at Rosecrans remains vital to the health of St. Joseph’s economy,” said state Sen. Rob Schaaf, of St. Joseph. “Many thanks to Gov. Nixon for his continued support in improving Rosecrans.”
“I am thrilled with the Governor’s announcement that the state of Missouri will provide $5 million to assist the Missouri project partners secure the 35 percent local matching funds for needed improvements to the Missouri River levees,” said St. Joseph Mayor Bill Falkner. “These levees are not only vital to both the local and state economy by protecting over 6,000 jobs, they also protect the Missouri Air National Guard and Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Equally as important, these state funds will help reduce the length of time necessary for a ¼-cent county sales tax to remain in effect as part of the local funding.”
“Funding for projects like this is so important for the stability and growth of economic development in Buchanan County and northwest Missouri,” said Buchanan County Western District Commissioner Ron Hook. “We appreciate Governor Nixon and the Missouri General Assembly for providing these crucial funds to enhance the Missouri River Levee System, and I know the citizens of Buchanan County are ready to step up and do our part to keep this project moving forward.”
The 139th Airlift Wing is comprised of over 1,200 Missouri Air National Guard men and women. Conducting the vital tactical airlift mission with the C-130 ‘Hercules’, the 139th has seen almost continuous deployments in support of our nation’s wars over the last 15 years. In addition, the wing is host to the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, which is comprised of active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air Guard personnel. This one-of-a-kind center develops tactics and trains more than 800 students a year from 18 allied countries.
