McDowell garbage facility, 911 center in running for federal money

9 months ago
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U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards announced Wednesday that he has requested nearly $38 million from the House Appropriations Committee — on which he sits — to assist rural and underserved communities and law enforcement in western North Carolina. Edwards represents North Carolina’s 11th congressional district, which includes McDowell County.

The first of those is $5.25 million for a renovation of McDowell County’s garbage handling facility off of N.C. Highway 226 South, also known as the transfer station, according to a news release.

Earlier this month, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners talked again about making improvements to the transfer station. The commissioners previously reviewed long-range plans for a significant enhancement to the facility that would allow for more garbage to be handled than the current one is designed to handle. County staff has explored grant opportunities for the facility.

In his announcement, Edwards said “funding for this project will allow for the construction of a new loading/handling facility for waste that will be able to handle the additional tonnage generated by McDowell County residences and businesses. It also will provide access and safety for users by improving road infrastructure.”

The 911 center for McDowell County currently operates out of a 500-square-foot room, Edwards said. The center was established in 2011 on the lower level of the Marion Police Department. Since then, the operation has outgrown the space due to new 911 technology, more telecommunicators and increasing call volume, Edwards said in the announcement

In all, Edwards identified 15 projects across western North Carolina, the maximum number allowed by the appropriations committee. These priorities, known as “Community Project Funding requests,” would benefit economically distressed and underserved areas in the 11th District. In the last appropriations cycle, Edwards secured nearly $19 million for western North Carolina, according to the news release.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee will review the requests and decide whether each project will be funded and if so, for how much. The projects would be funded in fiscal year 2025, which runs from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025.

Edwards prioritized funding requests that would benefit rural areas of need in western North Carolina, especially water and sewer projects, in addition to supporting law enforcement and emergency response needs, the news release said.

Edwards said, “The 15 community project funding requests that I submitted for FY25 would help meet some of the critical needs in WNC communities, including strengthening emergency services, supporting law enforcement officers and improving our district’s water and sewage systems. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I believe that NC-11 has a strong case on the merit of these projects and how they would make life better for our citizens and communities in a fiscally responsible manner.”…Read more by From Staff Reports, from staff reports

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