Published: November 07, 2008 01:49 pm      

Allegany County lands $2 million grant

CUMBERLAND — Allegany County will receive a $2 million grant “to provide for continuity of operations and plans (and) continuity of government” for the Federal Railroad Administration.

The county commissioners Thursday signed an agreement with the agency, which operates under the U.S. Department of Transportation. Gary Moore, director of Allegany County’s Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security, personally delivered the agreement to federal officials Friday to finalize it.

“It only takes one more signature and it’s done,” said Moore, who declined to identify the official who must sign off on the contract, which falls under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Support Functions program.

On Thursday, county officials refused to comment and directed questions to Steve Kulm, a spokesman with the Federal Railroad Administration. Kulm confirmed the grant process is not yet final but “it looks like it’s moving forward. We expect it’s going to (be finalized) in the very near-term for final signatures.”

Kulm said the federal agency is essentially “renting office space (and) communications equipment.”

He didn’t provide the exact location but noted “it’s out in the Cumberland area” and Allegany County facilities will “allow the continuation of the functions of our agency. This is for a continuity of operations. If there’s a reason why Washington (D.C.) cannot be occupied, under direction of the president, we need to have other locations” at which to do business.

Kulm said the Federal Railroad Administration has more than 800 employees nationwide and nearly 300 in the Washington D.C. area, “but not all of our people would be showing up at an alternate site.”

“This is not to pick up all of our space here and move it out there,” Kulm said. “We’ll take key people who can keep the agency functioning from that location.”

Kulm said the grant wasn’t to be construed as an economic development tool for Allegany County. The purpose, he emphasized, is to ensure the Federal Railroad Administration would continue to operate in the event of an emergency.

“We’re not looking to create jobs,” he said.

Moore said he wasn’t able to provide much information on the grant. Any logistical, administrative or security support the county would provide to the federal agency would be reimbursed over and above the $2 million grant, he said.

County Commissioner Jim Stakem has said since April the county has been in “highly classified” negotiations with a federal agency. The county has consistently declined to provide much information. Part of the concern among county officials appears to be a fear that other jurisdictions would protest the grant to Allegany County and attempt to take the $2 million for themselves.

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





LAST MEETING: Thursday

ACTION:

• Signed a certificate of approval acknowledging the low-interest, tax-exempt loan between the Flintstone Volunteer Fire Company and First Bankers Corp. to borrow $164,992 to acquire a new ambulance. The purchase neither creates a liability for the county nor obligates the county in any way relative to the repayment of the loan.

• Approved the appointment of Frostburg resident Brenda Knieriem to the Allegany County Mental Health Advisory Board. This is Knieriem’s first term. She fills the position that became vacant after Brent Delaney resigned from the board. Knieriem’s term expires June 30, 2010.

NEXT MEETING: Nov. 13 at the County Office Complex on Kelly Road. Work session at 9 a.m., public meeting at 11 a.m.