Whitfield County to seek Reconnecting Communities planning grant; board ratifies Crown Castle temporary easement

Whitfield County commissioners voted Aug. 8 to apply for a federal Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) planning grant and ratified a temporary access and utility easement to Crown Castle Towers 06-02 LLC.

The RCP planning grant application, approved 4-0, would fund a planning study, public engagement and other transportation planning activities for a reconnection project in the Cohutta community. The county authorized a maximum local match commitment of $400,000 for a possible federal award up to $1,600,000; the application deadline is Oct. 13, 2022. The board authorized the chairman and designated staff to act on the application.

On the same agenda, commissioners ratified a temporary easement granting Crown Castle Towers 06-02 LLC rights of temporary entry, vehicular and pedestrian ingress/egress and authority to provide utility wires, poles, conduit and related equipment across county property near the Carbondale Industrial Park. The ratification was approved 4-0.

Also on the consent agenda, the board approved Juvenile Court applying for a FY2023 Delinquency Prevention Grant (maximum award $25,000, no county match required) and approved an independent contractor agreement with Nikki Holcomb to perform court reporter duties for Superior Court Judge Minter.

Ending: If awarded, the RCP grant will require county match funds; the county will proceed with the application and related administrative steps as authorized by the board.