Powhatan eager to get federal stimulus funds

POWHATAN -- The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors is vowing to take full advantage of President Barack Obama's economic-stimulus package, pushing 15 construction projects that could be funded.

This week, the supervisors adopted a resolution outlining the projects and saying the county "will continue to aggressively investigate other strategies to maximize any stimulus package that will create sustainable jobs, meet escalating human needs and help us build the planned infrastructure for the optimum future of the citizens."

Last month, the supervisors -- hopeful that some of the stimulus money would find its way to localities -- decided to create a "SWAT team" to quickly pull together details on a list of projects on which work could begin promptly.

Powhatan leaders believe many localities are making similar preparations and want the county at the forefront. Consequently, the team that the supervisors created has prepared a 100-page document and is contacting the county's state and federal representatives and various agencies to solicit support and prepare to meet whatever requirements are necessary for the funds.

The 15 projects are divided into two tiers. The first tier includes projects that are ready to go, and "if the money was in our hands, we could dig the hole tomorrow," Supervisor Carson Tucker said. These projects include acceleration of public water and sewer on U.S. 60, improvements to the county's emergency-communications system, and construction of the Huguenot volunteer fire department and public-safety building.

The second tier of projects contains those in the planning stages and could be accelerated if money became available, Tucker said. These projects include development of the Powhatan State Park on the Historic James and development of government-complex projects such as a public-safety building, a courts complex and a human-services building.

Contact Jamie C. Ruff at (434) 223-3678 or .