BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WARFIELD — A $19.8 million plan to develop the Tug River corridor remains in limbo as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Community Change Grant program stalls under the Trump administration.

Blake Moss with the Big Sandy Area Development District provided the Warfield City Commission with an update on the proposal in the city’s Sept. 25 meeting. According to Moss, who applied for funding in 2024, the project remains uncertain.

“The last time I was out here we talked about this big grant we were going after at the ADD,” Moss said, referring to a meeting in October 2024. “With the changes in administration that grant program has been put on pause. We haven’t been told no; we haven’t been told yes. We’ll see what happens.”

Moss’s proposed project includes constructing 10 boat ramps between South Williamson and the Martin-Lawrence county line for first responders and recreation, resilience hubs in South Williamson and Warfield Park, and the removal of the Low Water Bridge near Calf Creek. The project also proposes rehabilitating a low-head dam in South Williamson and establishing a tire recycling program for Friends of the Tug Fork River.

The resilience hub in South Williamson would serve as headquarters for Friends of the Tug Fork River. In Warfield, the hub would comprise a 17,500-square-foot community center at Warfield Park equipped for emergency sheltering and public use. The Warfield hub would feature computer labs, a mobile communications system, a kitchen area, locker rooms and space for approximately 100 people to shelter during emergencies.

The EPA initially announced the Community Change Grant program would award funds on a rolling basis through Sept. 30, 2026. However, the Trump administration disrupted the program with widespread freezes and cancellations of previously approved environmental justice grants, leaving many communities uncertain about their standing.

With legal challenges pending and funding decisions slowed, the Tug Fork application remains unfunded.

“I have been told it was a very good application,” Moss said. “If the program does get back online, I expect a significant chunk of money to come our way. But I have no clue how that’s going to turn out.”

In the meantime, Moss offered his services to the City of Warfield.

“If there’s anything else you guys need help with as far as grants or anything, we are here to listen,” he said.

City officials informed Moss that they are in need of a truck that can also serve as a snowplow. Moss asked if the city could do a low-interest loan.

“If we get the tractor paid off we probably could,” Commissioner John Sammons said.

According to Moss, a grant through the federal government for any type of vehicle is “very hard to get.”

“I’m going to look, still,” Moss said. “But loans would be your best option.”

City clerk Rhonda Price said about two years remain on the city’s loan for the tractor.

Moss mentioned the city’s walking trail, which starts at the railroad bridge and leads to Warfield Park.

“I know you guys want to improve the connectivity between this trail back here and the housing developments, so we’re going to look at the Transportation Alternatives Program when that comes up,” Moss said.

The TAP is a federal program under administration of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Local Programs. It provides funding for projects like sidewalks, bike paths, recreational trails and safe routes to school.

“I’ll be back out here to talk to you guys about that,” said Moss.

He told commissioners that he also has not forgotten about the city’s caboose.

Price noted that Commissioner Jamie Queen secured a donation of paint and stain from Lowe’s for the caboose and gazebo. She added that members of the Martin County Tourism board had committed to finding workers to do the painting for Warfield.

Mayor Mike Hunt reminded Moss that the city hopes to have a stage.

Moss concluded by saying he was glad to see Warfield Market open.

“I know that was a big hit for you guys during the flood,” he said.

In other business, the commissioners approved the purchase of “about 1,000” replacement metal roof screws. They also discussed repairs to the manifold on the city’s truck and replacement of parts on the bush hog and weed eater.

The city announced plans to rent a trash dumpster for one month to accommodate a city cleanup project.

Finally, commissioners voted to declare the Gravely mower as surplus property and advertise for bids with a $500 reserve.