South Asheville News

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today announced his request for nearly $38 million from the House Appropriations Committee to support rural and underserved communities, as well as law enforcement in Western North Carolina (WNC). Edwards identified 15 projects across WNC, the maximum number allowed by the Appropriations Committee. These "Community Project Funding requests" aim to benefit some of the most economically distressed and underserved areas in the 11th District. In the previous appropriations cycle, Edwards secured nearly $19 million for WNC.

The Appropriations Committee will review these requests and determine funding levels for each project. If approved, the projects would be funded in fiscal year 2025, running from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The proposed projects include:

- **Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital Facility Upgrades**: $3 million to consolidate six outpatient clinics into a single location on the main hospital campus.

- **Hyder Mountain Lift Station and Force Main Project**: $3.6 million for a dedicated sanitary sewer lift station and force main to pump wastewater to a new regional treatment plant.

- **Bryson City Fire Department Water Tender Acquisition**: $405,000 for a new water tender to replace an aging vehicle with frequent mechanical issues.

- **McDowell County Solid Waste Facility Renovation**: $5.25 million for constructing a new loading/handling facility capable of handling increased waste tonnage.

- **Hazelwood Fire Station Construction**: $2.97 million for building a new fire station with modern facilities.

- **Transylvania County Ambulance Acquisition**: $367,113 for two ambulances equipped for emergency response.

- **McDowell County 911 Center Construction**: $3.19 million for building a new 911 center to improve emergency communications.

- **Asheville Police Department Real-Time Intelligence Center**: $529,692 for hardware and software needed to implement an RTIC at the Asheville Police Department.

- **Yancey County Sheriff's Office Communications and Security Upgrades**: $930,000 for necessary communications and security equipment acquisition.

- **Franklin Treatment Plant Clearwell and High Service Pumps**: $3.36 million to replace existing infrastructure with larger capacity systems.

- **Inflow and Infiltration Improvement to Brushy Creek Watershed Project**: $880,000 to prevent inflow and infiltration into Brevard's sewer system.

- **Robbinsville Water System Improvements**: $4.98 million for replacing deteriorated water lines in Robbinsville’s water distribution system.

- **Mayland Community College Earth to Sky Park Discovery Center Project**: $500,000 to develop a Children's Discovery Center at Mayland Community College’s Earth to Sky Park.

- **Town of Robbinsville Water and Sewer Service Expansion Project**: Nearly $6 million to extend water and sewer service supporting economic development projects by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

- **Etowah-Horse Shoe Community EMS Substation Project**: $2 million for constructing an EMS substation in Henderson County.

Edwards stated, “The 15 community project funding requests that I submitted for FY25 would help meet some of the critical needs in WNC communities, including strengthening emergency services, supporting law enforcement officers and improving our district’s water and sewage systems.” He emphasized that these projects are fiscally responsible initiatives aimed at improving life in NC-11.