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October 22, 2009

Regional Commission accepts $1 million grant for senior assistance

Diane Wagner, Calhoun Times

CARTERSVILLE -- The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission accepted a $1 million federal grant to help senior citizens who would otherwise have to give up their assets and move into a Medicaid-funded nursing home.

“We’re hoping we’ll be able to start serving clients in January,” said Debbie Studdard, director of the region’s Area Agency on Aging.

The 15-county NWGRC, which includes Rome and Floyd County, is meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cartersville for its first annual retreat since transitioning from the 10-county Coosa Valley Regional Development Center.

The board easily passed a resolution supporting the acquisition of a 12-mile abandoned rail line in southern Floyd and northern Polk counties. Plans are to use it as a multi-purpose trail connecting to the Silver Comet Trail while preserving it for a possible rapid rail line in the future.

“It’s not going to happen today or tomorrow, but Bike!Walk! Northwest Georgia is committed to the initiative,” said David Kenemer, the NWGRC staffer charged with assisting the regional alliance dedicated to non-road transportation alternatives.

The board also accepted a $21,636 state grant to provide historic preservation planning services to members, and approved an application seeking a $1 million federal grant to assess potentially contaminated sites.

“The state wants to ready as much of the region as possible for the (Volkswagen) spin-offs from Chattanooga,” NWGRC Executive Director Bill Steiner said.

The international carmaker is building a new plant in Tennessee and northwest Georgia is viewed as an optimal location for second- and third-tier suppliers to set up shop.

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