The city of Licking will receive a $2.5 million grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) to improve its water distribution systems. The project, which is expected to be completed by December 2025, will include the replacement of miles of water mains, service lines, and fire hydrants at various locations across the city, according to MoDNR .

The funding package includes a $1.27 million grant and a matching low-interest loan, both from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. According to MoDNR , this arrangement is projected to save Licking’s ratepayers approximately $1.27 million in principal and around $435,000 in interest over the next 20 years.

Kurt Schaefer, leading the Missouri Department of Natural Resources , highlighted the importance of such funding for growth and development. "The department works with communities like Licking to support water and wastewater projects that help them grow and develop while keeping customers’ utility bills affordable," Schaefer noted in a statement.

Alongside the direct benefits for Licking, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund also supports other community projects aimed at improving water treatment plants, distribution systems, and storage facilities. The fund's appeal goes beyond the below-market interest rates; it also offers communities guidance from a project manager throughout the project's duration. For Licking’s upgrade, some of the funding was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as noted in the department's announcement .

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources continues to support water and wastewater infrastructure improvements through its Financial Assistance Center. The department provides funding for eligible communities addressing important water quality and infrastructure needs. For Licking, this investment is helping improve its water systems.