Blowing Rock authorizes Town Manager to apply for Stimulus funds
$4.4 million in federal funds could help with upcoming infrastructure projects

By Jeff Eason

The Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night that would give Town Manager Scott Hildebrand authority to “execute and file applications for loans and grants available to aid eligible units of government in financing the cost of infrastructure improvements per the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.”

The details of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the economic stimulus bill, are still being hammered out by the U.S. House and Senate. It is an $838 billion bill backed by the White House and the newly inaugurated Obama Administration.

Blowing Rock is looking to secure as much as $4.4 million in federal monies to help fund upcoming infrastructure projects such as the Blowing Rock-to-Boone water connection and its Streetscape improvement project.

The money would go to projects already approved by the board and permitted by the proper agencies. In addition to these “shovel ready” projects, the new authorization does not preclude the town manager asking for additional federal funds in the future.

“I’d like to see other projects put on this list such as having the reservoir dredged,” said board member Tommy Klutz.

Initially, board member Barbara Ball expressed reservations for the resolution, based in part on her opposition to the economic stimulus bill itself.

“I think there’s too much in there,” said Ball. “I cannot, on principle, go for this.”

When other board members explained that the money was going to go other communities in North Carolina if Blowing Rock did not request it, and that the federal funds had the ability to lower taxes for Blowing Rock residents, she voted with the other members to pass the resolution.

“These are projects we’re going to do anyway,” said board member Keith Tester. “This is a great opportunity to save the taxpayers $4.4 million.”

In other Blowing Rock news, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize a public advertisement of tax liens for 2008-09 delinquent property taxes as required by state statute.

In an update on the town’s ongoing drought and water conservation efforts, it was reported that due to those efforts, the town was using less water on average that it had in the past decade.

The Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners next public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall.