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Tazewell supervisors approve 10% local match for $1.93 million BUILD grant for Claypool Hill corridor
Summary
The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors approved committing a 10% local match—$192,986—toward a $1,929,860 BUILD grant application to fund preliminary studies and engineering for improvements along the US‑416/19 corridor in Claypool Hill.
Tazewell County supervisors voted to provide a 10% local match for a federal BUILD grant application aimed at improving the US‑416/19 corridor in Claypool Hill.
Ken Dunford, who presented the application, said the county previously applied for the grant when it was called RAISE and has been refining the proposal with grant writers. "The funding for the grant, the request is will be $1,929,860," Dunford said, and he asked the board to approve a 10% match totaling $192,986.
The application would fund preliminary studies and engineering to address safety and access along the corridor, which Dunford described as having multiple entrances and a 45 mph speed limit. He noted prior work with VDOT that proposed closing entrances, a solution "that wasn't very well received," and said the current plan seeks alternate options.
A supervisor noted that anticipated coal severance revenue from an expected Coronado mining operation could provide funds to supply the match. "By statute, a quarter of that money has to be spent on roads," the supervisor said, urging the board to use coal severance funds to position the county to compete for large federal grants.
Board members discussed complementary projects — including Smart Scale funding and a separate VDOT intersection project near Indian Paint Road — and how the three efforts together could address the broader area. After discussion a motion to authorize the 10% match was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The presiding officer announced the motion passed.
Next steps noted by Dunford: the county will learn whether it received BUILD funding in October and, if successful, construction likely would not proceed until late 2027 with a multi-year implementation and spending schedule.
