Second round of ARPA money expected soon

PRESCOTT – Nevada County should be getting $801,000 in the second round of funds from the America Recovery Plan Act(ARPA)  by next month.

This is what Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, told the Nevada County Quorum Court at its May meeting Tuesday evening. She said it’s about time for the county to file the paperwork to get these funds, which should arrive in the county’s coffers by the June meeting. Godwin said the county can use the same list as before in spending the money, but as the county isn’t getting $10 million or more, it can basically spend it on what’s needed to operate the county government.

She told the court No Way Pulpwood has been leasing some of the Potlatch property since last year and has brought in a chipper to send chips to Oklahoma. Justice of the Peace Pat Grimes asked where the money from this goes. Godwin said as it’s city-owned property, the money goes to the city.

Debbie Henderson, administrator for the Nevada County Health Unit (NCHU), asked the court for a favor, and portion of the ARPA money. She said with Covid-19, the NCHU had a lot of people come through to get tested and vaccinated. She asked the county to do improvements on the parking lot and build a road around the building so a drive-through could be held for the annual mass flu clinics. This would prevent having to move everything to the Potlatch Building at the Nevada County Fairgrounds as everything would be kept on-site. This could cost around $50,000, and would include a road wide enough for two vehicles side-by-side.

Glass said he’d need to talk to Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver as it’s city property, and an easement would be required. He said there could be concerns getting a blueprint for the project, which would have to be bid out, but he’s talked to a contractor who agreed it could be done for around $50,000.

Glass said work has begun on the Nubbin Hill Bridge, and the road is closed to through traffic. Construction started Monday and crews are working to get it done as soon as possible to avoid any weather-related delays.

Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, updated the court on what the Chamber’s been up to, including a ribbon cutting in Falcon earlier in the day. She said the Chamber is helping with a Sesquicentennial event to celebrate the county’s existing 150 years.

Hillery reminded the court the annual cleanup will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 1. Trash bags, t-shirts, vests and gloves will be provided to the teams, with the top three winning cash prizes. Teams of six or less need to register with the Chamber at 870-887-2101.