PRINCETON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Mercer County Commission met on Tuesday for their Regular Session which saw discussion of a lengthy docket of agenda items.
Utilization of American Rescue Plan funds was a central point of discussion throughout the session, which ran over an hour and a half in length.
Princeton Baseball Association was among the entities hoping for utilization of said funds for the meeting of their needs, which in this instance pertained to general maintenance and upkeep of the Princeton stadium and came in the form of a $100,000 request.
“I had gone up to the facility and looked around a little bit, and I know there’s a lot of modifications that are looking to be done with done both clubs,” said Commissioner Greg Puckett, who acknowledged the need but also the limited nature of the resource in question and the simultaneous need of the County’s second baseball club.
“If you look at the American Rescue Plan Funds, which we’re very grateful for, this is a gift that’s not going to be here forever. So, what we want to do is consistently work with each one of the entities to come in and give as much as we can to as many as we can to make sure that we’re covering the bases.
The Commissioner would ultimately make a motion to sponsor the request for $50,000 – half the proposed amount – in maintaining funding for anticipated needs of first responder and utility programs.
“Again, with water, sewer, infrastructure-type projects with the firefighters; there’s a lot of EMS-type things, and I just think that’s a good amount to help kick start and move things forward,” Puckett continued. “If we look to try to help Bluefield, I want to be consistent and try to cover it where everybody gets a chance to enjoy it.”
Puckett’s fellow Commissioners were in agreement regarding the motion, with Commission President Bill Archer noting the importance of these types of programs throughout the state and area.
“I’m with you on that, Greg,” said Archer. “I think it’s really important for us to continue to do those kinds of things and to help professional baseball in the region.”
“We’ve been good partners for a long time and I know there’s a lot of improvements to be made,” said Puckett, arriving at the conclusion of his remarks regarding the matter.
“We are the only county in the United States that has two minor league clubs; I think that’s very unique. It says more that we consistently support that, especially in the summertime, to give people a chance to get out and enjoy baseball.”
Commissioner Gene Buckner was also in agreement with his colleagues, noting the County-wide benefits of the sports organizations.
“This is a great part of our county. They bring a lot of people to our hotels which helps pay the bills,” said Buckner. “Both teams do that, so I’m all in for it.”