Joel Burgess, Asheville Citizen Times
·4 min read
Congressman Chuck Edwards said he is seeking nearly $38 million in federal money for projects in Western North Carolina, including $530,000 for Asheville police and $11 million for Robbinsville water and sewer system improvements that would also benefit the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Edwards, a first-term representative of the far western 11th District and member of the House Appropriations Committee said in a May 29 announcement the community project funding requests were targeted at rural and economically distressed areas as well as police and first responders in more populated places. The projects, "would help meet some of the critical needs in WNC communities," he said.
"I believe that NC-11 has a strong case on the merit of the projects and how they would make life better for our citizens and communities in a fiscally responsible manner," he said.
11th District Democratic candidate Caleb Rudow, who will face Edwards in the Nov. 5 election, praised the emphasis on infrastructure, saying it took a page from President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.
"But I hope Chuck realizes that a thriving N.C. requires not just investment in infrastructure but also investment in the people and the working families of WNC by supporting programs like the child tax credit, stabilization grants, and SNAP benefits," said Rudow, an Asheville resident and member of the N.C. General Assembly.
In the last funding cycle, Edwards sought support for $37 million in projects − with $19 million ultimately awarded. Funding runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2025, though it's not clear when the appropriations committee will make final decisions.
The proposed projects:
Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, Murphy - $3 million. Convert former nursing home into a new single hospital campus, consolidating six outpatient clinics. Would include 20,000 square feet of patient care areas and radiology and lab services such as cardiac catheterization lab.
Hyder Mountain Lift Station and force main project, Clyde - $3.6 million. Update and connect Clyde's water system to new regional treatment plant in nearby Canton. Would allow Clyde to meet U.S. Clean Water Act rules after challenges brought by the closure of the Canton paper mill, the primary water provider for the Town of Canton.
Bryson City Fire Department water tanker purchase: $405,000. Buy water tanker to replace one of the town's two tankers that is 31 years old with frequent mechanical issues.
McDowell County solid waste facility renovation: $5.3 million. Build new loading and handling facility for increased waste from residence and businesses. Improved road would be safer and provide better access.
Hazelwood Fire Station construction, Waynesville: $3 million. Replace "functionally obsolete" volunteer fire station with new station with three apparatus bays and ADA-compatible sleeping areas and restrooms.
Transylvania County ambulance purchases: $367,000. Buy two new ambulances for the county.
McDowell County 911 Center construction: $3.2 million. Build new center to replace 911 apparatus now operating out of a 500-square-foot room in Marion Police Department's lower level with no space for new needed staff and equipment.
Asheville Police Department Real-Time Intelligence Center: $530,000. RITC would gather, analyze and investigate intelligence for more efficient and effective resource deployment.
Yancey County Sheriff's Office communications and security upgrades: $930,000. Buy new equipment for staff and patrol cars and address vulnerabilities at county jail.
Franklin Treatment Plant clearwell and high service pumps project: $3.4 million. Replace 56,000-gallon clearwell and high-service pumps with 250,000-gallon clearwell and a new pump station with two high-service pumps each rated for 2 million gallons per day. Would allow easier water treatment basin maintenance and provide enough storage to avoid water restrictions or extended treatment cycles.
Brushy Creek Watershed inflow and infiltration improvement, Brevard: $880,000. Would help prevent inflow and infiltration into Brevard's sewer system, preventing overflows onto roads, streams, parks and yards.
Robbinsville Water System improvements: $5 million. Replace older and deteriorated pipes with significant leaks and low residual pressure. System serves 861 residential, 184 commercial, three institutional (Graham County Schools) and two industrial customers inside and outside town limits.
Robbinsville Water and Sewer Service Expansion project: $6 million. Extend water and sewer service to two new Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) economic development projects: proposed Junaluska Cultural Development Center and Junaluska Grave Site. Both projects would provide significant employment opportunities for Robbinsville and Graham County.
Mayland Community College Earth to Sky Park, Discovery Center, Burnsville: $500,000. Develop Children's Discovery Center at college’s Earth to Sky Park to create educational opportunities, prepare next generation for workforce and spark economic development.
Etowah-Horse Shoe community EMS substation construction: $2 million. Build EMS substation in growing part of community, drastically improving response times. Currently, the Etowah Horse-Shoe Fire District serves 14,005 people.
More: Graham County receives $20 million grant for Corridor K section; more funding required
Asheville I-26 Connector contract the 'largest' in NC history; What about local companies?
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess atjburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter@AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with asubscriptionto the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: US House Rep. Edwards seeks $38M for Western NC; Asheville police
