Lincoln Seeks FEMA Funds

GRANTS APPROVED FOR BOOKS, STUDENTS

The city of Lincoln is hoping to receive federal aid to help repair damages from flooding in December and has submitted all paperwork to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rhonda Hulse, the Water Department’s office manager, recently attended a kick-off meeting on the process to apply for funds. Lincoln has been assigned a project specialist and an environmental specialist, Hulse said. The project specialist will evaluate damages in Lincoln to determine if the city qualifies for money and if so, how much.

Lincoln did not have major damages from the flooding but a “bunch of little items,” Hulse said, noting that the minor damages add up in expenses, though.

The gravel road and parking lot at Lincoln Lake were washed out and will need new gravel, she said. Several culverts were washed out and need to be replaced and upgraded and the parking lot for the summer baseball field buckled in some places. Also, the sides of about 10 streets washed out and buckled along the edges in several places, Hulse added.

She does not know what it would cost to make the repairs. The project specialist will help with calcu- lating those figures. Hulse, who also serves as grants administrator for Lincoln, reported that two grant applications have been approved.

The city received $2,500 from Western Arkansas Planning and Development District to purchase books for Lincoln Public Library.

Lincoln Bright Futures received $2,500 from the District that will be used to help students and purchase supplies for the Lincoln Back To School program. Bright Futures is a community organization, sponsored by Lincoln Consolidated School District, that meets physical needs of students so they can excel in school. Hulse serves on the Bright Futures board of directors.