The Erwin Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to assist with fire line extensions on Nolichucky Avenue contingent upon whether funds from the American Rescue Plan Act could be used to pay for it.
Joint Economic Development Board of Unicoi County Chairman Lee Brown requested the town earmark up to $37,000 for the project out of the ARPA funds. The fire line extension would provide fire protection to six buildings and planned redevelopment, including the Capitol Theater and 107 N. Main Ave.
âThe fire line extension cost, thatâs something that developers did not anticipate, and then we think back to the inconvenience that downtown business owners went through during the revitalization,â said Joint Economic Development Board of Unicoi County Chairman Lee Brown. âI think this would be a great gesture on behalf of the BMA if they could see fit to consider that. And all I need is just a commitment that youâll earmark some of those funds up to $37,000 to do that.â