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Alleghany County managers seek low-interest Blue Ridge Energy loan to upgrade aging transfer station
Summary
County staff reported progress on a transfer-station upgrade, including site testing, soil reuse analysis and a competitive interest-free loan application with Blue Ridge Energy. Environmental surveys must be completed before ground-disturbing work can begin.
County staff told commissioners they are working to upgrade the county's 30-year-old transfer station and are pursuing funding to reduce the initial taxpayer burden. TRC (consultants) has conducted surveying and soil compaction testing at the site and is evaluating whether soil from a high-school project could be reused at the transfer facility.
County Manager Bill Shepkin (also recorded as Shepley in the transcript) and staff said they are collaborating with Blue Ridge Energy on an application for a competitive, 10-year, interest-free loan. Staff gave a target deadline of Sept. 30 for submission of loan materials and said the loan is not guaranteed because it is a competitive process.
Commissioners and staff stressed that an environmental inspection is required before any ground-disturbing work or movement of soils can begin. Staff said the environmental review is an extensive survey that must meet the lending and regulatory requirements; the county will not disturb the ground until that inspection is complete.
Commissioners described the transfer station as critical county infrastructure and said the facility has been patched over time. One commissioner noted visible structural degradation and urged the board to prioritize the upgrade. Staff said a new employee will begin in roughly two weeks at the facility and that they will continue to provide updates as TRC completes cost estimates and environmental analysis.
Because the loan application is competitive and requires information from multiple parties (including environmental work), staff said the county may need to supply additional funds beyond the loan if awarded. The county's next steps include completing the TRC cost estimate, finishing required environmental surveys, and submitting the Blue Ridge Energy loan package by the deadline.
