A plan for an $843,000 grant, that was approved two years ago by the federal government for the Rocky Fork Region, has since fallen into jeopardy of being lost to Highland County.
County Commissioner Gary Abernathy says the grant was actually awarded in 2016 to fight blight and improve economic development in that region, then saw the D.O.J. put on the brakes. The feds claimed they didn't like some of the local proposals for managing the program.
Abernathy says the county has since resubmitted a grant request for a 12-month extension, which would see funding for three patrol deputies for Rocky Fork instead of one, plus provide money for the health department for tackling blight.
Highland County has until the end of September to get the feds to agree to the new plan.