December 27, 2007
County May Apply for More Economic Development Money

Photo by Dave Maxwell County Grant Administrator Phyllis Robistow explaining about new EDA grant application.

By Dave Maxwell

Lincoln County was given a little more time to apply for an Economic Development Administration grant of $2.3 million to be used at the Alamo Industrial Park.

Grant Administrator, Phyllis Robistow, reported at the Lincoln County Commission meeting December 17, that the deadline has been extended into mid-January. She told Commissioners that EDA rules stipulate that “If we are going to use any of our other grants that are paying for engineering as match, then we have to follow the EDA rules.” The County has a “check list” they have to go through for the engineering.

A notice of application is being put into the two largest newspapers in the state, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Reno Gazette-Journal, four straight weeks and in the Lincoln County RECORD two weeks in row.

She said, “the County could ask for additional money to be added to their initial $2.3 million, but we can only do it with this application. We cannot go back and ask for more money once we get started.” This means a separate application for more EDA funds cannot be made later.

Another limitation of the grant money Ms. Robistow reported is that it can only be used for infrastructure work within the 228-acres of the Industrial Park, “not for anything that would be considered commercial property.”

She also said the EDA office in Seattle is asking that an architect’s conceptual map of the Industrial Park be completed to provide a way to clearly identify where things are to be. Commissioner Wade Poulsen said Alamo Water and Sewer has hired an engineer to plan where the water and sewer lines will be placed. County Manager John Lovelady added he has already met with the engineer and discussed some of the issues they face.

After hearing the presentation, Commissioners did not make a decision on whether to seek additional money with the $2.3 million grant, but may take the matter up at the January 3 Commissioner meeting.