GRANTS, GRANTS AND MORE GRANTS - Commission Seeking Financial Help

(01/22/2001)
By Dianne Weaver

The Calhoun County Commission is looking for grants to help the cash strapped county through tough financial times. Discussing needs and possibilities was a topic at January's meeting by Commissioners McCallister, Barr and Weaver.

A special grant request will be submitted for $80,000 to pay-off the regional jail bill, although the Commissioners have little hope of obtaining the amount. The Commission made a significant one-time payment of $50,000 on the bill during January's meeting using funds from the sale of the CCCOA property in Grantsville.

The slowly funded Back Fork Water line project will be submitted again through a Small Cities Block grant.

The Commission is seeking assistance through the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council to use local money in applying for an Appalachian Regional Council grant to build a shell building for economic development.

Application will be made through the Budget Digest for $25,000 for the relocation of E-911 and the Office of Emergency Services to the Calhoun Middle/High School property at the Mt. Zion campus. Delegate Bill Stemple has already obtained $10,000 for the project.

Discussion was also centered on obtaining special funding for projects at the Calhoun County Park, including $25,000 for a new roof for the multi-purpose park barn and possibly money for paving park roads.

An application for $20,000 will also be made for Minnie Hamilton Health Care for the purchase of equipment and $25,000 for courthouse systems improvements. An application may also be submitted for $12,000 for the Calhoun Economic Development Authority, along with law enforcement and court house security grants.

The Commission is also looking at what to do to help local emergency services, including the three fire departments.

The Commission created a February 5 deadline for grant submission.