Sen. Soles plays Santa to county |
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By CLARA CARTRETTE Sen. R.C. Soles Jrs. was like Santa Claus Wednesday morning, calling at least twice with good news for Columbus County residents. In session in Raleigh, Soles called to report that the N.C. Museum of Forestry had been approved for a $200,000 grant, which has nothing to do with the major renovation grants announced this fall. Soles said the application was approved by the Joint Legislative Governmental Operations Commission, on which he and Rep. Dewey Hill serve. Grant monies will be used for partial renovation of the Forestry Museum to meet the Americans With Disabilities Act requirements and health and safety issues. The project will include bathroom and elevator upgrades, ceiling repair, mold remediation and replacement of stucco that is falling off the outside of the building. In a separate phone call, Soles reported that the DREAM Center has been approved for a $50,000 grant. The Bolton Senior-Youth Center has also been aproved for a $10,000 business development plan grant. Soles also reported that EMBARQ has agreed to install high speed internet access to customers on Bella Coola Road at Lake Waccamaw. This service will require additional construction of fiber optic cable and placement of a new pair gain device. EMBARQ stated that this project has not been included in the normal network planning for the near term, however, due to the demand for the service evidenced by petitions submitted to the company, as well as anticipated growth in the area, company officials have decided to provide these network elements. Construction should be completed by June 2008.
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