Nye County CDBG applicants draw sharp public reaction; commissioners direct staff to seek eligibility for select projects

Nye County officials and applicants presented proposed projects for the fiscal‑year 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) round on Sept. 16, and public commenters made sharply divided appeals over which proposals should be prioritized for county submission.

County grant staff said Nevada’s governor’s office of economic development has prioritized infrastructure projects for the funding round. County applicants included a third phase of utility improvements at the Pahrump fairgrounds, replacement of an announcer booth and concession stand at the Tonopah fairgrounds, a Tonopah power‑line upgrade tied to an advanced‑manufacturing proposal, and a nonprofit plan called “Healing Acres” to provide trauma‑informed, faith‑based services and a restorative campus in Pahrump.

Why the meeting mattered: The county has been a frequent applicant for CDBG funds; residents said repeated awards for the fairgrounds have diverted scarce competitive funding from other towns and priorities. Commenters also raised water‑supply concerns and community safety questions about a proposed wellness retreat.

Key presentations and public reaction Darren Tuck, representing the county, asked for a CDBG planning or construction award to tie two wells at the fairgrounds to provide redundancy and more reliable water service for the site. "It's going to tie the two wells together, which is going to provide redundancy and just a more adequate system for the fairgrounds for the future," Tuck said.

Metoda LLC (presented by Vladimir Radovich) sought a planning grant for power‑line upgrades to support an advanced‑manufacturing facility in Tonopah that would build solar‑tracking equipment and create local…