ORCA awards $3.2 million for Ike damage

Cherokee County is expected to receive almost $3.2 million of the $9.2 million awarded by the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) made available through the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG).

The money is allocated for damages suffered last fall during Hurricane Ike.

Of the 14 counties in ETCOG, only seven were affected by the storm.

Smith County will receive $500,000 to help with repairs to home damages by the storm.

Rusk City Manager Mike Murray said, "We hope the city will receive $700,000-$800,000 in this ORCA allocation." Distribution of the county's funding is expected to be in May.

Of the county's allocations estimates are that $218,570 will go toward home repairs. Claims will be received from Jacksonville, Rusk, Alto, Wells, New Summerfield and Wells.

No match will be required for the ORCA funding.

"We plan to ask for some generators and a new fire truck to replace the one which failed during the storm. The fire truck will cost in the neighborhood of $250,000," Mr. Murray said.

The city has generators on water wells five and six, he said. "However we need generators for well two, three and Guinn Hill and ones for the fire department, police department and city hall. Also, we plan to ask to replace the rescue van," Mr. Murray said.

A meeting is planned for 9 a.m.-noon March 17 with the Office of Rural Community Affairs for entities to discuss potential infrastructure projects needed.

A meeting was held in Kilgore March 5 and was attended by Mr. Murray and Mayor Angela Raiborn. Also attending were members of the Cherokee County commissioners court.