County coordinator presents SWOT; city pursues grants for water, sewer and bluff mitigation

Mark Parascio, identified as the Fulton County community development coordinator with Community Ventures, presented a truncated SWOT analysis that framed Hickman’s economic and infrastructure position and listed potential funding avenues.

Parascio highlighted local strengths including robust natural-gas infrastructure serving industrial users and a city-owned electric utility, and described challenges such as aging water and sewer systems and bluff erosion near downtown. He suggested opportunities including economic diversification, workforce development programs and leveraging federal grants for infrastructure improvements.

City staff reported ongoing work on a package water-plant rehabilitation proposal and RCAP’s (Rural Community Assistance Program) recommendations for sewer-plant repairs and a rate study to qualify for outside funding. Staff said a grant application is due in August and a field meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state highway and Department for Local Government officials is scheduled for July 23 to investigate bluff mitigation.

The commission agreed to pursue grant funding and to continue coordinating with Community Ventures and state/federal partners. Staff will return with timelines for grant submissions and requests for any local match funding required.

Next steps: prepare grant materials for the August deadline, conduct the July 23 bluff site review with partners, and advance sewer remediation plans with RCAP and engineering consultants.