With approval from the County Commission Thursday night, the county will be applying for two grants to extend water services to rural areas of the county.

"This is one of the most important things we could do," said County Mayor Allan Watson.
The mayor said people count on good law enforcement, rural fire departments, ambulance service, and they want good water.

"If we could put water all over this county, boy, it would be a God-send for a lot of people."
The county will apply for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant up to extend waterlines along White Plains, Chance and Bear Cub roads. Rocky Hollow Branch may also be included.
The CDBG requires that at least 51 percent of the people in the service area are at low and moderate income levels. If received, the waterline extension will serve 29 houses and 77 people.

Tellico Area Services System will pay the required 13 percent matching funds.
Economic Development Director Shane Burris reported the county has already submitted a $252,777 grant application to the Appalachian Regional Commission. That grant would be used for waterline extensions on White Plains, Howards Chapel, Gentry Lane and Tipton Lane. TASS will pay the $252,777 in matching funds. The county will be notified this summer if it receives the grant.

The commission also approved a resolution to apply for a Rural Development grant and loan to extend water to the following areas: Christianburg Fire Station area, Gudger Fire Station area, Dogwood Trace and Roy Lane in Sweetwater, Picket Fence Lane, Nichols Road, southeast of Highway 411 (Gudger and Country Lane), and Highway 411 between Chestua Road and Loop Lane.
Second District Commissioner Bill Bivins, declared a conflict of interest, but voted in favor of applying for the money. Bivins lives in the Gudger community.
If approved, the waterline project would serve 126 houses (315 people), seven businesses, three churches and two fire stations.

The total cost of the project would be $1,659,110. However, the county has some money left over from the bond issue for the new Madisonville Primary and Rural Vale School addition. So, the grant and loan would be for $415,778.

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