Lawrence County To Seek Infrastructure Funding Through Federal Stimulus Package

Thursday, January 8, 2009

A group of Lawrence County representatives will travel to the nation’s capitol in the coming days to seek support for funding of several construction projects through the anticipated federal stimulus package.

Lawrence County Executive Paul Rosson, Lawrenceburg Mayor Keith Durham and Director of Schools Dr. Bill Heath will be joined by representatives of the Lawrenceburg Utility System and Emergency Management Agency on the two-day trip, Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15.

The officials will be in Washington for meetings in the offices of U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker and U.S. Representative Lincoln Davis. The focus of these meetings will be to request that federal stimulus funding be allotted to Lawrence County for up to $20 million in construction projects.

President-Elect Barack Obama is expected to propose a major economic stimulus package to Congress shortly after taking office January 20. This package has not been defined, but is widely anticipated to include construction funding for schools, roads, and other projects which would create jobs and help boost the economy.

According to Rosson, the group will ask federal leaders to consider funding a building program to address the severe overcrowding conditions in Lawrence County Schools. The request will include the complete Phase I building program for Ethridge, Leoma, New Prospect, South Lawrence and Summertown.

Leaders will also seek stimulus funding for additional flood control improvements, waterline extensions and road upgrades, including the state’s completion of the western leg of the Highway 64 Bypass, estimated at over $50 million.

“The trip will be a very brief one, but is a necessary one in order to make certain that Lawrence County states its case for funding through any stimulus package which is considered by the U.S. Congress,” Rosson said. “President-Elect Obama has made it clear that his economic stimulus package will rely heavily on improvements to schools and roads and that he will be seeking quick action from lawmakers. It is urgent we make our request now.”

According to Durham, the trip will allow the local leaders to learn more about what the economic stimulus may entail and how it could benefit Lawrence County. “We hope to find out as much about the funding package as possible during our meetings,” Durham said. “It is vital that we continue our flood control efforts and see the completion of the western section of the bypass. The projects we are proposing are much-needed and would have a positive impact on the local economy.”

The upcoming Washington trip is similar to ones made by local leaders before Lawrence County gained membership in the Appalachian Regional Commission late last year. Several grant applications have already been filed by Lawrence County and its cities for infrastructure projects funded by the ARC.

“Our persistence in seeking to have Lawrence County included in the ARC paid off,” Rosson said. “We hope that we will be able to have the same success in securing funding for our infrastructure needs.”