Mercer County commissioners recorded a formal intent to purchase property from R and R Enterprises and authorized staff to submit an application for the Rural Catalyst Grant, which offers up to $500,000 with a 50% local match for qualifying community economic-development projects.

County staff explained the grant timeline and that the application benefits from an official statement in the county minutes indicating the county's intent to pursue purchase and to provide the required local match. Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to record intent to purchase and to allow staff to submit the grant application; the motion passed with recorded ayes.

Staff noted that the grant would reimburse eligible renovation costs (not necessarily purchase costs if timing is incompatible) and that award decisions are expected in February; commissioners instructed legal and staff to continue due diligence and to return with final purchase documents when available.