Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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October 21, 2011

TIGER grant program: Official: New road construction could be on horizon

By BILL ARCHER Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD —  New highway construction in Mercer County might become a reality in the not too distant future according to Tom Hall, president of the King Coal Highway Authority.

Hall told members of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce monthly board of directors meeting that the authority has been encouraged to apply for as much as $20 million in the up-coming rounds of the 2011 TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program through the U.S. Department of Transportation.”

“We have been encouraged to apply for a grant,” Hall said. “We need $70 million to take (the highway) beyond where it is now. We (King Coal Highway Authority members) traveled to Washington, D.C., last (Thursday) and met with several members of our congressional delegation to ask them for support our application with letters.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced in June that the DOT has $526,944 million available for the third round of TIGER grants (also called TIGER III), according to a press release. The competitive grant program funds innovative transportation projects that will create jobs and have a significant impact on the nation, a region or a metropolitan area.

In other reports during the chamber board meeting, Annette Tabor announced that Bluefield College experienced a record freshman class enrollment this year with 221 freshmen and a total student body of 530 students.

“Our dormitories are filled to 93 percent capacity and were looking into the possibility of building new dormitories or condos,” she said.

Dr. Tom Blevins, interim president of Bluefield State College reported: “Enrollment is even, giving is up and I have a basketball coach,” he said, making reference to the new BSC men’s basketball coach Jamaal Jackson.

— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com

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