(June 6, 2024) -- The Sikeston Regional Chamber now owns the former post office building at 215 N. New Madrid Street.

During the Sikeston City Council meeting Monday, Council approved a request for proposal from the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation to take over the building.

With the help of an ARPA Tourism Grant, the SRC will renovate the building and create a visitor’s center housing the Sikeston Regional Chamber, Economic Development Corporation, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Historic Downtown Sikeston, and a rodeo museum.

The city recently put out a request for proposal (RFP) and the SRC was the only entity who submitted a response.

The city donated the building to SRC, and the value of the building can be used as part of the local match for the ARPA Grant. By donating the building, the value of the building can be used as part of the local match for the ARPA grant while also relieving the city of the maintenance burden of the building.

“It’s kind of an underutilized building,” said Sikeston City Manager Jonathan Douglass. “This grant the Chamber has gotten will allow for a quality renovation of that building and allow for a lot more activity there, which will be good for our downtown.”

The offices of Historic Downtown Sikeston are currently housed in the building, and they will remain there, paying rent to the SRC similar to what they were paying to the city.