Sikeston awarded over $480,000 from the Missouri Department of Economic Development

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – The Sikeston Regional Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau were awarded over $480,000 from the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). 

Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development President Marcie Lawson says the money will go to restoring the old post office that was built in 1931 and create new attractions to the city.  

“Renovate it, rehabilitate it, make a great rodeo museum, visitor center, and actually move all of our offices into that building. So historic downtown Sikeston, Chamber, Economic Development and Tourism will be there will be everything sites and if not the city,” said Lawson. 

The program is a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) awarding 30 million to 26 projects across the state to focus on tourism, travel, and hospitality industries.   

Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Vice President, Kathy Medley says the upgrades they money will pay for will help add more interest for people traveling.  

“We’re such a great stopover and destination and this is just one more thing that we can market,” said Medley. 

Sikeston is still waiting for the funds but hopes the changes will come soon.  

“We would love to be in the building by the end of the year we might not have the rodeo museum completely ready but our goal for that is by next year’s rodeo so the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee boot hill rodeo,” said Lawson.