Missouri announces $10 million in Blue Shield grants

Awards for 350 jurisdictions

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced in state grants for 350 jurisdictions with a 2026 Missouri Blue Shield designation. The recipients include counties, cities, towns and one school district.

The state is dividing the awards equally among the designated jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction may apply for just over through this year’s grant, with the money available for equipment and training.

The 2026 awards mark the second year of Missouri Blue Shield. The number of designations increased from 201 in the program’s first year to 350 in its second year. Counties, municipalities and the school district participate through the same statewide program and are subject to its local planning requirement.

Program requirements and grant use

Missouri Blue Shield requires participating jurisdictions to create comprehensive, sustainable programs intended to fight crime and promote safer communities. That requirement applies to all participating counties, cities, towns and the school district receiving 2026 designations.

The designation and grant serve connected roles. Jurisdictions must establish an ongoing local public-safety program to participate, while the state grants support equipment and training. Each of the 350 designated jurisdictions can seek an equal award under the 2026 grant.

The statewide figure represents the combined amount announced for all participating jurisdictions. The individual application amount reflects the program’s equal distribution of the grants rather than different award levels for counties, cities, towns or the school district.