Governor Parson Visits Branson to Celebrate Treatment Plant Grant

The top official in the state visits Branson to celebrate a major grant for the city which goes in hand with Community Development Week.

Governor Mike Parson spoke at Branson's Compton Treatment Plant as the City was celebrating the awarding of a $13 million grant to upgrade the plant including the building of a wall around the facility for flood protection. Members of the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments joined Mayor Larry Milton, members of the Board of Aldermen, and City Staff for the ceremony. 

During his remarks, Governor Parson talked about a project of this nature of perfect example of the projects his administration is focusing on during Community Development Week. Parson presented Mayor Milton and the City with a Proclamation about the week that highlights the importance of Community Block Development Grant program. 

The ceremony can be seen on the Ozarks Now Facebook Page.

A brief one-on-one conversation with Governor Mike Parson can be heard below:

The complete release on the Compton Drive Wastewater Treatment Project and Grant is below:

Missouri Governor Michael Parson traveled to Branson today to celebrate $13 million in grant awards designated to upgrade the City’s Compton Drive Wastewater Treatment Facility. These grant dollars are dedicated to constructing a 7’-9’ wall that will create a flood barrier between the facility and the adjacent Lake Taneycomo. The wall will surround the perimeter of the plant, which processes approximately 80 percent of  Branson’s sewage.

With this project, the City of Branson, the State of Missouri, and the federal government are exemplifying strong partnership and commitment to protecting vital infrastructure, the environment and the well-being of the community’s residents and businesses while supporting the economic engine of Branson tourism, which is recognized on a national level. 

The project is possible due to the support of Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG), the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) and federal agencies. The DED, with support from SMCOG, works directly with the federal government to procure available funding. Of the total $13 million in grants, $10 million was awarded through Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and $3 million was awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

SMCOG, located in Springfield, assisted the City of Branson through the grant application process, environmental review, procurement of engineering services, contract management and required reporting.   

Project Description:   

This mitigation project is considered critical to upgrading the facility, located downstream of Table Rock Dam. It is in response to area flooding of 2017 and several other flood events that occurred years earlier. With the treatment facility managing an average of three million gallons of wastewater per day, the protection of operations from flood waters is a top priority. If there is a need to shut down the plant for an extended period, it could adversely impact Lake Taneycomo. (In past high-water events, an AquaDam system/barrier was utilized.)

The design plan is complete and the project is currently in the bid phase through early May. The timetable includes:

Awarding of grants 2020/2021; 
Planning stages such as preliminary designs, soil testing, hydrologic modeling 2021/2022; 
Final engineering designs 2022; 
Construction slated for June of 2023; and 
Targeted completion Fall of 2024. 
This project consists of installing nearly half a mile of sheet pile-type material to create a 7’– 9’ barrier wall, an entry gate and several rain “dewatering” wells to prevent soil saturation. The material will be driven into bedrock, interlocking to prevent waters above and below ground from penetrating the compound. The material will be a weathered-steel look for long-lasting finish.    

“We are grateful to our partners for their dedication to a project so very important to our citizens and our community,” said Branson Mayor Larry Milton. “Our team of leaders with the City of Branson also deserve great thanks for moving this much-needed project forward,” Milton said. 

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About Compton Drive Wastewater Treatment Facility, Branson:   

The City of Branson’s plant is in the northeast area of Branson next to Lake Taneycomo. It provides sewage treatment for residents and businesses in the City and in a large area of Taney County north and west of Branson city limits. The Compton facility was placed in service in 1988. The plant was expanded and upgraded in 1993 and 1995 with advanced nutrient removal technologies.  www.Bransonmo.gov

About Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG):  

Committed to Enhancing the Quality of Our Communities through Regional Cooperation, SMCOG, located in Springfield, is an association of governments and stakeholders. SMCOG is the federally designated Economic Development District for the ten-county area of Southwest Missouri, providing professional services and assisting cities and counties with development issues and projects. www.smcog.org

About Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED):  

                The Missouri Department of Economic Development works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri businesses and diverse industries, strengthening communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce and maintaining a high quality of life.   www.ded.mo.gov