As many as 27 households and a church would benefit from sewer service if Smyth County is awarded and accepts a $345000 Community Development Block Grant to install sewer lines and connections in Brown’s Subdivision.

The county board of supervisors voted March 13 to apply for Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development funding for what the county is calling the Friendly Circle sewer project.

No one spoke at a public hearing about the grant application.

Sally Morgan the county’s director of planning and development said four of the targeted residences are vacant meaning 23 households would immediately benefit. She said the sewer service to the new elementary school west of the subdivision creates an opportunity to provide collector lines in Brown’s Subdivision.

The project would serve 50 people in 23 households; 40 persons in 15 homes are of low-to-moderate income according to Morgan.

The grant allows expenses of up to $15000 per household.

The hitch for the supervisors is the grant’s requirement of a $199490 match from the county.

“Matching funds is the big issue here” Morgan said along with the competition the county will face from other localities pursuing the grant.

The board voted to apply for the funding with acceptance pending its awarding and a decision to match it.

dkegley@wythenews.com