Thursday, January 15, 2009

County Leaders Find Washington Trip Beneficial

Lawrence County leaders returned from the nation’s capital Thursday optimistic after meetings with Tennessee’s Congressional delegation regarding federal stimulus funding for infrastructure projects.

Lawrence County Executive Paul Rosson and Dr. Bill Heath, Director of Schools joined representatives of the City of Lawrenceburg and Lawrenceburg Utility System on the trip to Washington Wednesday and Thursday.  The group’s mission was to deliver a proposal for a $20 million school building program along with requests for utility and flood control projects through the federal stimulus package expected to go before the U.S. Congress in the coming weeks.     

President-Elect Barack Obama has indicated plans to propose a large-scale spending initiative aimed at boosting the nation’s economy while creating jobs. Lawrence County leaders are hoping to secure a portion of the funding for local needs.

On Wednesday, Lawrence County’s representatives met with Congressman Lincoln Davis and key staff members for Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker. During those meetings, local leaders presented a request for a share of the anticipated stimulus funding, headlined with a $20 million dollar building program to address severe overcrowding in Lawrence County schools.  The group also requested funding for continuation of flood control work in the City of Lawrenceburg and waterline expansions throughout the county.

According to Rosson, the meetings were informative and beneficial. “We learned that the proposal is still very fluid and subject to change at this time,” Rosson said. “Given the history of stimulus money going to larger communities, it is very important that we convey the needs of Lawrence County and other rural areas. The timing was also vital since it appears some type of stimulus package is imminent in the weeks to come.”  

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