In a meeting of the Boone County Commission last Tuesday, it was announced that the project to provide water for the residents of Turtle Creek would likely qualify for federal funding.

Fred Riggleman, of the Boone County PSD, said a $1.5 million HUD Small Cities Block Grant should pay for water in a couple of areas including the Corridor G community.

“Due to the income level of residents of Turtle Creek, it is likely they would qualify for that particular grant,” he said. Riggleman said the Prenter water project would probably also benefit from that grant.

Riggleman, and Terry Martin, of the Regional Intergovernmental Council, announced that the upcoming Stollings Road waterline extension would also encompass the Hopkins Road and Mac’s Cycle areas of Corridor G.

“We will be receiving one-half of the $1.3 million cost from a grant and the other half from West Virginia American Water Company,” Martin said, noting that the Bim section of the Pond Fork Wastewater Project may soon be underway to serve 88 customers.

Riggleman also announced that the Cameo, Woodville and Morrisvale sections qualify for Abandoned Mine Land (AML) funding.

“These areas can receive up to 65% funding for the costs of bringing water to them,” he said. “The director noted that next month the PSD will formally ask Lincoln County to give Boone County their 38 customers so the Boone PSD can better serve them and can formally apply for aid to cover construction costs.”

Commissioner Mickey Brown told organizers of a proposed Whitesville Veterans Memorial that the county would assist in funding the project, but was unable at this time to commit the county to any certain amount.

Brown told Ted Anderson, chairman of the Big Coal River/Whitesville Area Veteran’s Memorial Fund Committee that the county is “dealing with uncertainties in coal severance funding due to problems with coal permits, but we understand the importance of this memorial, and will do whatever we can to help.”

Anderson told the commissioners they anticipate a total cost of the project, which would be located next to the Whitesville Library, to be $50,000. He said they have already raised $6,000 toward their goal.

The county also approved a request from the town of Whitesville to help in a forthcoming project. Mayor Freddy Harless requested the county supply them a dumpster for a one-day town-wide cleanup, which is scheduled for April 17th.