Mayor asks for county's help on grant, economic plans

The possibility of county participation in the application for a Community Action and Tourism grant was one of the topics brought to the table by Fairfield Mayor Ed Malloy at Monday's meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors.

      Fairfield is in the process of preparing a C.A.T. grant application to help fund improvements to the downtown area. The C.A.T. grant projects would be in addition to the final recommendations from the Fairfield Architectural Redevelopment Committee that are being funded by local option tax revenue and bonds.

      Malloy said the city's designated cultural district as well as the state's investment in the civic center give the city good leverage in applying for the grant.

      With C.A.T. grant money, the city is looking to renovate Howard Park and develop a pedestrian path to the park, Malloy said. The city also is dealing with the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Company to possibly purchase the nearby depot for use as a welcome center or museum.

      Malloy said people involved with the C.A.T. grants would like to see county involvement in the project, and Malloy said he would like the county to get involved either with suggestions from the city or with any enhancements the county might like to complete.

      Supervisor Mike Pech said he thought the county would be interested in working with the city on the C.A.T. grant.

      The application deadline is April 1.

      Malloy also spoke with the supervisors about more proactive economic development in the community.

      According to Malloy, Fairfield's strategic plan included the development of an economic development and marketing plan, which the Fairfield Economic Development Association will adopt as a three-year program.

For a complete story, read the March 1 Fairfield Ledger.