Mayor Farmer Disappointed With Timing Issues For USDA FUnding

Spencer will have to revisit its funding options for its new raw water intake project after a timing issue with a targeted grant.

Mayor Allisa Farmer said she met with USDA officials Thursday and found out the timing of the grant application would not work out.

“The meeting didn’t go as well as we planned,” Farmer said. “I’m not so sure if we will be able to get that money in the time needed to get the projects done in order to use our ARP money.”

Spencer as well as Van Buren County plans to use over $2 million in federal funding to construct an access point to the Caney Fork River. The money must be spent by 2026.

Farmer said the grant application process would take about 18 months which caused the timing issue. Farmer said she was disappointed after the meeting, but the city still plans to pursue other options.

The city needs about $4 million more in funding to make the project happen. The new infrastructure would be used for a new water source for the utility district.