Last week, the Boone County Commission learned they were successful in their attempts to earn a 2007 Local Economic Development Assistance Grant Award.

The grant, which is coordinated by the office of Gov. Joe Manchin, was requested to help continue the Lick Creek waterline extension project.

The $130,000 award will be used to purchase materials and rent the necessary equipment to extend water service to Stollings Road, which is a secondary road located off Lick Creek and Hopkins Fork Road, along the Coal River.

This grant will bring water to the area adjacent to the Rock Creek Transfer Station and the West Virginia Division of Highways garage.

The commission will administer the grant and will be responsible for complying with all applicable laws, including prevailing wage rates and competitive bid procedures.

In order to get the project underway, the Boone County Commission plans to pass a resolution accepting the conditions of the contract.

This will allow workers to begin digging waterlines as soon as weather conditions allow.

Gov. Manchin also bestowed a 2009 Community Partnership Grant award in the amount of $50,000 to the Boone County Commission to design the Turtle Creek water line extension project.

In other commission actions, the officials approved the WaterWays Phase II grant agreement with the West Virginia Division of Highways.

According to County Administrator Jim Gore, the agreement allows county crews to extend the nearby walking trail to the park entrance on a route that takes the path through the area, which formerly held the go-kart track.

“It will be a riverside path, when the path is finished,” Gore said.

The commissioners also signed a resolution to act as fiscal agent for the Morrisvale Ryan Community Center, which will be used to resurface the walking track.

The 2009 Community Partnership Program Grant for the track will bring $11,000 for residents of the small community on the Lincoln County line.

In county water project actions, the county approved giving the Boone County Public Service District a grant in the amount of $13,894.98 to pay an invoice to Chapman Technical for design services on the Pond Fork Waste Water Project.

The Boone County Commission also approved a drawdown of funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission in the amount of $15,286 to pay an invoice from Famco, Inc. for work done on the Pond Fork project.

The Boone County PSD also received grants from the commission in the amount of $45,095.00 for several projects related to the Pond Fork project. These include money for storm water permits, health permits, and an invoice from Potesta and Associates in the amount of $42,875 for design services.

Approval was also given to begin the Joe’s Creek Water Project Phase II to install a pump station and approximately one-mile of water line.

Anglers will benefit from the stocking of Boone County rivers starting Feb. 25 and 26. The project is financed by the Boone County Commission. The trout will be purchased from Indian Lake.