Transportation Bill

Funding comes together for Mt. Carmel Road

Innovative ways to kick-start construction of Mt. Carmel Road at Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park were brought before the Marshall County Board of Supervisors last week. Mt. Carmel will be the main access road to the industrial park.
The recent sale of 140 acres adjacent to the new Exel facility has brought $140,000 to IDA accounts, according to Bill Renick, director. The IDA board wants to plow that money back in to building Mt. Carmel Road in time for the construction season this year, he said.
Renick asked, and the board approved, $122,000 of in-kind services from the county road department. That would cover the cost of clearing and grubbing which precedes construction. Engineering work could be started earlier, he said.
Cost of construction of Mt. Carmel Road is expected to run over a half million dollars. Renick said IDA has commitments for $250,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission, $150,000 from DIP (Development Infrastructure Program) funds, and the $140,000 IDA just made in the land sale.
Board approval of $122,000 in in-kind clearing work gives Renick the leeway to start the engineering work.

-The South Reporter