V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
The Jefferson Economic Development Corporation denied a request from the Phoenix Organization and Krewe of Hebe to purchase water barricades and pedestrian safety barricades during their Tuesday night meeting. The board cited the need for the City to make the purchases instead of JEDCO.
The two groups had requested water barricades to better close streets and prevent unwanted vehicles from entering, barricades to line the parade routes to keep pedestrians from getting too close to floats, and a building to store the baricades. The equipment would have been available to all events to use. JPD and public works supported the request. The total request was $116,000.
JEDCO tabled a request from the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department for $400,000 in funding for a new fire station, citing an unnamed grant which was available.
JEDCO Board Member Jim Finstrom said he and the Jefferson Mayor were at a recent municipal conference where a speaker stated there were grants available to construct fire stations and city halls. He did not mention a specific grant, which conference, nor the speaker.
The fire department has been pursuing grants for a new station for over 20 years with no success. According to Chief Ro Rodriguez, it can take 5-7 years to get a grant for a truck, and the last one had to be specifically built to fit our existing station.
City grant writer Traylor and Associates has told the City in the last year that grants to build stations are hard to find and obtain.
JEDCO also indicated the County should be “putting in” on the station as 70% of the calls are outside the city limits. Currently the County’s contribution to the Jefferson VFD is part of an Interlocal Agreement which covers dispatch, and prisoner housing for the City in exchange for funding for the VFD, among other things.
JEDCO also offered a low interest loan to Marion County Media LLC to purchase equipment to create a print center in Jefferson.