Published: June 12, 2009 08:51 am      

Requests outweigh grant funding

County receives less than half of $152,524 sought for Program Open Space projects

CUMBERLAND — Less than one-half of the amount requested by Allegany County cities and towns for Program Open Space development projects is available.

Acting County Administrator David Eberly said Thursday during the county commissioners’ weekly public meeting that 16 funding requests totaling $152,524.50 were received by 10 different local governments and volunteer groups across the county. But only $68,550 in Program Open Space funding is available.

Eberly said he and county planner Dave Dorsey will review the list of requests and rate them on the project’s viability and the group’s ability to apply for and obtain funds from the state Department of Natural Resources and whether the project is POS-eligible.

Program Open Space funding covers 90 percent of the total cost of any approved project.

The city of Frostburg tops the list with four projects needing $63,000 of Program Open Space money. The city requested $19,800 to renovate the Sowers Field infield at the Parris N. Glendening Recreation Complex off Shaw Street.

Frostburg also requested $16,200 for work on the Mount Pleasant athletic field; $14,400 for athletic field bleachers; and $12,600 to convert a basketball court to a skate park.

The city of Cumberland asked for $23,440.50 to be divided among two projects.

Fencing at Al Abrams Field needs $12,640.50 in POS funding while fencing at the tennis court at Constitution Park is expected to cost $10,800.

The McCoole Special Taxing District requested $22,500 for a 90 percent share of the $25,000 for park development and ballfield construction.

The Mount Savage Special Taxing District said it needed $10,212 to install a retaining wall and fence at Mount Savage Community Park.

The town of Westernport said it needed $9,000 equally split between a scoreboard for the Maryland Avenue ballfield and a field upgrade at the same location.

The Westernport Youth Football League requested $6,300 for roofing and equipment for the Westmar Middle School recreation facility.

The town of Luke requested $4,572 for fencing at the Nevison Avenue ballfield.

The Flintstone Civic Improvement Association said it needed $4,500 for the ballfield and dugouts while the Oldtown Youth Sports Commission said it needed the same amount for a well and fencing at Oldtown Community Park.

Barton requested $3,600 to resurface a town tennis court and another $900 for fencing at the Little League complex.

The commissioners agreed to review staff recommendations in about two weeks.

It’s apparent that smaller, nonprofit organizations have a more difficult time obtaining Program Open Space funding, Eberly said

He said an entity’s level of success is one of multiple factors used in determining county recommendations.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.