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Board approves matching funds for emergency generator at Goochland Sports Complex
Summary
Supervisors approved county matching funds to secure a FEMA/VDEM generator grant for the Goochland Sports Complex, intended to support emergency sheltering capacity in the eastern part of the county.
The Goochland County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution on June 4 to appropriate county matching funds for a generator at the Goochland Sports Complex so it can operate reliably as an emergency shelter.
Fire Rescue Chief Eddie Ferguson and Emergency Management Coordinator Robin Hillman described the project as a follow-up to lessons learned during a 2022 snowstorm, when power outages left the county without a local shelter with power. Hillman said the county entered a memorandum of understanding with the American Red Cross to support shelter management at the Sports Complex and the Central High Complex, and highlighted proximity to Department of Social Services operations as an operational benefit.
County staff told the board the grant is structured like a previous generator award for Central High and carries a federal match: "The grant ... is 60% funded by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management through FEMA; the local match is roughly 40%," Chief Ferguson said. Officials said the $220,000 grant amount has increased in estimate to about $251,000, and that installation costs are included in the project budget; staff said necessary transfer switches and incidental items were considered.
Supervisors asked whether showers were required at the site and whether the installation cost was fully included; staff confirmed installation is included and said showers were not required for the grant but could be pursued with later funding. The board approved the consent agenda item authorizing the transfer and appropriation to supply the local match.
What’s next: Staff will finalize procurement and construction scheduling; emergency management and Parks & Rec will coordinate operations and any future work to add showers or other shelter amenities.
