Porter Discusses Waterline Extension Project With Commissioners

The Putnam County Fiscal Review Committee has recommended that the county apply for a $630,000 Community Development Block Grant.

County Mayor Randy Porter said the funding would extend waterlines to homes that don’t currently have access to public water.

“We’re still trying to get those folks that do not have access to public water…about 725 in the county,” Porter said. “We got denied on the last CDBG grant, but were moved down a little further West around the Ensor Hollow Road to try and get more participants inside the grant.”

The county applied for the grant last year, with plans to extend waterlines to Shaw Branch, McBroom Branch, and Green Mountain Road. Porter said the state denied the grant application because the plan did not target enough residents.

“They put a new requirement down that you have to have at least 30 people that want the water,” Porter said. “We think we’ve got a better chance with this one than we had last year, so we’re still trying to work on the water situation.”

The grant proposal states that Putnam County would agree to pay 20-percent of the total price for the project.

The full county commission will consider applying for the grant when they meet next week.