News Article

Bolling presents Fries $1 million grant

Friday, July 02, 2010
Allen Worrell
The Carroll News

Fries Mayor Gary Sumner had a million reasons to be thankful for Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's trip to the Twin Counties June 29.

As part of a three-day trip through Southwest Virginia, Bolling stopped by the Crossroads Institute in Galax that evening to tour the facility and award the Town of Fries with a $1 million Community Development Block Grant for the downtown revitalization of Fries. Bolling said the award proves the support Governor Bob McDonnell's administration has for rural areas of the state.

"One of the ways we can help communities get the economy moving again and revitalizing ourselves is by creating jobs, but there are other ways we can help communities as well by partnering with them and helping them invest in the revitalization of their own communities. Just last week the Governor and I had the opportunity to make final decisions on the first round of Community Development Block Grants that our administration has had an opportunity to award," Bolling said. "We awarded $12 million in Community Development Block Grants last week. I am pleased to say that about $7 million came to Southwest Virginia. I hope that shows our commitment to help stimulate the economy in rural parts of the state, Southern Virginia and Southwest Virginia in particular."

Bolling said local Delegate Bill Carrico was particularly instrumental in the Town of Fries landing the $1 million grant. Bolling asked Carrico to come be a part of the ceremony because "he was a pain in our butt on this particular grant."

"He had a burr in his saddle to make sure this one got done," Bolling said. "He was great in working with us to make sure this stayed at the forefront of the thought."

Bolling then presented Sumner with a certificate for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $1 million to the Town of Fries to assist with the downtown revitalization project.

"What this is going to enable to the Town of Fries to do is to do simple things like facade improvements, streetscape improvements, develop a farmers' market stage," Bolling said. "It's going to help the Town of Fries take the next step in achieving their goal, which is to become an even more livable and sustainable community for the people that call Fries and the areas around Fries home."

Bolling said he knew Fries would spend the money wisely and hopefully achieve its goals with the $1 million grant. Sumner said he thought the grant would help the Town of Fries tremendously.

"Thank you. We just love the Town of Fries and we appreciate everything you have done and, Bill (Carrico), you have done to keep this floating," Sumner said. "Jobs is the answer and I think this revitalization program will give the opportunity to draw people to the prettiest community in Southwest Virginia."

For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.