Byrdstown Creating Spending Plan For ARP Funding From TDEC

The Byrdstown Board of Aldermen discussed Monday possible projects for American Rescue Plan funding coming from TDEC.

The state department has dedicated a portion of some $2 billion to each county. Mayor Sam Gibson said the funding will come through Pickett County and amounts to some $2.6 million.

“Are we going to do the Industrial Park and put water and sewer to the Industrial Park?” Gibson said. “Are we going to put in a bigger line down Star Point Road? It’s a six-inch line. Look how big things are growing.”

Gibson said town officials have been working with engineers to create a priority list for improvements. Gibson said upgrades to the water plant and sewer plant are also a possibility.

“Those are the things we are going to be working on over the next few months,” Gibson said.

The $2.6 million from TDEC is separate from the $209,000 of American Rescue Plan funding Byrdstown received directly from the federal government. Gibson said this spending would be limited to water and sewer improvements with a percent match from the municipality.

“I think our match is about 20 percent,” Gibson said. “We’re hoping to use some of that earlier allocations of money to help us on our match a little bit.”

Gibson said the money going to the county has more restrictions attached. Gibson said , “If they don’t have project or things to use it for, hopefully they’ll allow us to use it for the match, because what we’re doing is water and sewer improvements county wide.”