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Council discusses farmers market design, ARPA money and grant strategy; engineering under way
Summary
Councilors reviewed progress on a farmers market planning study, discussed ARPA funding priorities and agreed to seek engineering deliverables to support tobacco commission and other grant applications.
Town staff and councilors discussed the farmers market planning process and broader capital‑project priorities using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The council heard that an architectural/engineering firm has started work and should deliver plans within 45 days to support upcoming grant applications.
Why it matters: The farmers market project is positioned to seek multiple grants this year, including a Tobacco Commission grant (deadline Feb. 27) and a T‑Mobile funding opportunity (deadline March 31). Council members said having engineering plans and a council commitment to a local match or budget allocation would strengthen grant applications.
Details reported: Thompson and Litton (engineering/architecture) have signed an LME and begun work; staff expects deliverables around 45 days after signing. The town plans to apply for Tobacco Commission funds and a T‑Mobile grant (T‑Mobile noted as $50,000 with no local match). Additional potential grant sources discussed included USDA, Appalachian regional programs and other state grants.
Council direction: Council members asked for a designated match or budget allocation to support competitive grant applications and suggested breaking ARPA dollars into line items for priority projects so the town could move multiple projects forward concurrently instead of waiting years for grant cycles. Staff said it will circulate engineering deliverables and coordinate letters of support from community partners.
Ending: Staff will return with engineering products to support grant applications and with a proposed budget allocation strategy for council consideration so the farmers market and related capital projects can advance this year.
