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By Hale McGranahan
Staff Reporter
Greer city Administrator Ed Driggers said the city will apply for over $55 million in Federal economic stimulus funds.
“We want to be prepared,” he said. “We have projects that are ready to submit and we believe those add great value to the community… these are significant projects that will have significant impact on the community.”
Eleven bridge and road projects carry a $2,754,500 price tag. Driggers said it is the first priority for the city.
In partnership with Greer Commission of Public Works, the water line extension program that circles the entire city limits would be a $6,530,000 project. Another partnership with CPW includes a sewage pump station replacement program near Interstate 85 and State 101, totaling $5,989,750.
Greer’s railroad relocation will also be included. Driggers figures the total to be around $40 million to move the 11 miles of combined CSX
and Norfolk Southern railroad tracks.
“These are all projects that we believe meet the criteria or at least what we believe is going to come out-that is still unknown,” he said. Driggers said that the projects will be ones that the city would have to work on in the future.
If the city is granted funds for the projects, he believes they will be administered locally. “We just want to be given due consideration,” Driggers said.
TEAM GREER
City communications manger Steve Owens hit the nail on the head when Driggers was looking for ways to look at things differently in order
to save money. Owens’ work in creating the city’s 2008 report will beavailable on the city’s website, www.cityofgreer.org, Friday morning.. Owens has used only $150 of the $15,000 appropriated to produce and distribute the 2008 report.
This year’s web-oriented version is a change from what has normally been a printed edition, includes an interactive PDF copy, videos and color pictures.
“We wanted to find a way to make this a little more engaging and to use technology to make it to our advantage,” Owens said.
For those who hope to have printed copies, Owens said residents can stop by City Hall to obtain a printed copy.
CDBG FUNDS
Along with the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority, Greer officials are preparing for Community Development Block Grant applications.
According to the GCRA website, CDBG funds are requested proposals from providers of targeted services particularly those that address
neighborhood needs, needs of low to moderate income persons, families or households or needs of the elderly.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Driggers said GCRA makes recommendations on the applications to the available funding back to council, based on eligibility.
“The process is going on right now,” he said. “They began receiving applications on Jan. 12 and will continue through Feb. 13.” Assistant City Administrator Mike Sell said council will look at CDBG recipients in the second February meeting.
Funding will be available for the projects will be available in early July. GIVEN THE OK Council unanimously voted in favor (5-0) for three items of new business.
A resolution to update the city’s blood borne pathogen standard to comply with occupational safety and health administration requirements
was the first. Passing the resolution is an annual to do the docket at the beginning of every year, according to city officials.
A resolution to accept Granite Woods South subdivision streets: Feldspar Lane, Calcite Drive, Granite Woods Way, Olivine Way, Slate Lane and Tale Court into the city’s street system.
An onsite detention pond is allowed to be constructed on an area designated as a parking lot on John Street.
From City Administrator…
• Driggers and Greer Development Corporation president Reno Deaton will be making visits to various businesses around the community.
“I am attending on many of those as possible within the city limits,” Driggers said. “We want to make our existing businesses aware that we are indeed concerned about issues that affect them and their operations and to provide an opportunity for them to express their concerns. We’re looking for ways to help them to continue being successful businesses in the city.”
• Council has planned its annual planning retreat for Feb. 26 and 27. All candidates up for the vacant District Four seat will be notified of the retreat, which is the same week the winner will be sworn onto council.
-With the state’s General Assembly back in session, Driggers said the city will be monitoring whether there would be a reduced amount of funds designated for local governments.
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