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Wythe County seeks $7 million in congressional directed spending for Lots Gap water tank and county cannery
Summary
County staff submitted a $5 million request to complete the Lots Gap Water Tank and a $2 million request to relocate and modernize the county cannery; staff said the projects emphasize regional impact and that Senate deadlines differ from the House process.
Wythe County officials told the Board on March 10 that staff prepared congressional directed spending requests totaling $7 million: $5 million to complete construction of the Lots Gap Water Tank (a regional project involving the New River Regional Water Authority and the Town of Wytheville) and $2 million to relocate, construct and modernize the county cannery, co-located with a proposed Cooperative Extension office.
Deputy County Administrator Matthew C. Hankins said staff received notification from the congressional delegation about application windows and that staff prioritized regional-impact projects to improve odds for an award. Ms. Williams and County Administrator Stephen D. Bear assisted in compiling the applications; the board noted that the Jackson Elementary School project had previously received a grant/loan that could affect eligibility for additional support.
Hankins said Senators Warner and Kaine have a later joint application deadline and the county intends to add an animal shelter update to that submission. Staff cautioned that while they have researched typical award sizes and guidance from congressional offices, the likelihood of receiving full funding is uncertain and that focusing on fewer, regionally scaled projects is the recommended strategy.
The board did not take a formal vote to endorse a specific supplemental appropriation at this meeting but directed staff to proceed with the applications and to report back on any award notifications.
