Union County Mayor Jason Bailey addressed the Union County Business & Professional Association on February 13, at the First Bank Conference Room. He shared information on the more than $20M in active grants that his office has secured mostly in the past three years.
He also noted that his office will be applying for over $2.2M more in grants this year. Part of the grants were gifts from the federal or state government. The majority of the other grants have no local tax money needed to match the grant.
Grants have bought equipment for the fire departments and the rescue squad. One grant will build a sidewalk from the apartment complex in Luttrell to Luttrell School. Water and sewer upgrades will be completed in many parts of the county including the cities. Grants are building the Walters State College and the TCAT on the high school campus.
A study of how to improve Blue Mud is being funded by an ARC Grant. Heritage Park is the recipient of two grants to complete the parking, stage and music wall. The Union County Senior Center is getting a bus to use to deliver meals and another grant to add activities for seniors. The vocational program will receive supplies for the new culinary program from a grant.
Among the grant applications this year is a transportation study to determine the feasibility of a bridge or an upgraded ferry to Speedwell from Sharps Chapel. Another will build two EMS facilities. A Home Grant will include replacement of mobile homes. Congressman Burchett has offered to use a special allocation to upgrade the back entrance to the courthouse to make it safer for the guard and the public. Wilson Park may receive two multi-purpose sports fields for soccer, football, and other recreational activities.
The next UCBPA member meeting will be Tuesday, March 12, at 12:15 p.m. for a business meeting to evaluate the new program format, the upcoming golf tournament, and to network with members. Anyone interested in making Union County a great place to live, work, play, and pray is invited to join. Annual dues are $35 and a membership form is available on the website at ucbpatn.com and attached to this article on HistoricUnionCounty.com.