Rick Boucher Holds Important Meeting with Patrick County Officials
August 11, 2009
Patrick County Board of Supervisors and officials and Stuart Town Council meet with Congressman Rick Boucher, August 12, 2009
News report
Patrick County Board of Supervisors, County Officials and Stuart Town Council meet with Congressman Rick Boucher, August 12, 2009
On Wednesday evening at Primland Resort, Congressman Rick Boucher met with local government officials to bring them up to date on Federal funding that benefited Patrick County. It also afforded him the opportunity to get feedback and suggestions.
First of all he reported that the Patrick County schools had been awarded $3.3 million from the Federal Stimulus legislation for the purpose of integrating technology into the curriculum, teacher training and green building applications.
Other funding came in the following amounts for these projects:
• First Responders, $170,000
• New Sheriff Deputy vehicles, $50,000
• Ararat Rescue equipment, $50,000
• Funding to Patrick County to replace the budget shortfall from the State of Virginia, $70,000.
• Assistance to install a Computer Lab at the Red Bank Community building in Claudville. Ribbon cutting and opening will be conducted today (August 13) at 11:00am.
Of the $7.2 billion in Broadband High Speed Internet funding for rural communities nationwide, Patrick County did not obtain funding in the first round. We will have opportunity to file for funding in 2 other rounds. Mr. Boucher is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Telecommunications Committee, which oversees this program.
At the urging of Tom Bishop, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, approximately 22 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, will be repaved between Carroll County and Meadows of Dan (Patrick County) to repair broken pavement and potholes. Work should begin early in 2010.
Sheriff Dan Smith asked about the possibilities of the “universal hiring� program provided to many communities by the Department of Justice to increase the number of patrol officers. He reported that rural areas like Patrick County were left out of the funding program this time. And that neighboring Mt. Airy, NC had received funding for 2 new patrol officers and the State of North Carolina received $30 million of funding. Mr. Boucher directed his staff members present at the meeting to look into this and see what the possibilities were for Patrick County.
Various individuals gave their thanks and appreciation to Congressman Boucher for the work he and his staff has done to help us in Patrick County.
Mr. Boucher will hold a meeting today (August 13) at 9:45 am. at the Historic Star Theatre in Downtown Stuart, to make some important announcements impacting Patrick County... The public is invited.
Reported by Tom Bishop
