Anderson County recently announced the receipt of a $60,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant. This grant funding will be matched with local dollars ($60,000 is included in the adopted FY 2014-15 County Budget) and will be used to remove the remaining debris from the 14-acre Toxaway Mill Site on Gossett Street.
“I am thrilled that the progress is continuing at the Gossett Street Mill site,” said Councilwoman Gracie S. Floyd. “Special thanks are due to the Appalachian Regional Commission for providing Anderson County with the funding for this stage of the project. Fourteen years ago, District 2 committed to this being one of our top priorities. The work has not gone as fast as we had originally hoped, but we are steadily reaching our goal.”
Currently, Anderson County has completed assessment work and partial debris removal using in-house resources in combination with previous grant funding. Cleanup work at the adjoining Riverside mill site, including debris removal and capping, has also been concluded.
“This project will result in the quality of life being improved for 515 persons occupying 208 households in the affected area,” said Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “We are grateful for this investment in our community. Council woman Floyd has faithfully worked on this project since 2000. District 2, as well as the entire county will benefit from her efforts.”
Once completed, this project will transform unusable acreage into property that can be used for public purposes. Additionally, the cleanup will complement conservation plans developed and promoted by local stakeholders.
The Appalachian Regional Commission funds projects through its Area Development Program and Appalachian Development Highway Program. All ARC projects address one or more of the four goals identified in the Commission’s strategic plan<http://www.arc.gov/images/newsroom/publications/sp/ARCStrategicPlan2011-2016.pdf>:
* increasing job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia;
* strengthening the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy;
* developing and improving Appalachia’s infrastructure to make the Region economically competitive; and
* building the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia’s isolation.
Projects in recent years have focused on business development, telecommunications and technology infrastructure and use, educational attainment, access to health care, tourism development, and the construction of development highways and basic water and waste management facilities.
For More Information, visit www.arc.gov/about/ARCProjects.asp<http://www.arc.gov/about/ARCProjects.asp>.
