A project and grants to help pave just under three miles of roadway in Washington County along 300th, 290th and Kiwi was discussed Monday. In a workshop, the Washington County Board of Supervisors and Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius, along with Washington Economic Development Group Director David Collins considered the options for the road improvement project. The county is looking to apply for a RISE grant, Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy program through the state DOT. The project would upgrade a current gravel road to a paved road to improve economics, as local business Premier 1 Supplies is in the location. It would improve the conditions for traffic, especially semi trucks. While presenting the options, Thorius said to think of the future, “Really decisions that we make today impact one, two, three generations down the road.”

The preliminary estimate for a 22-foot paved road with about one foot of rock on either shoulder is approximately $1.7 million. Since 290th is a Farm to Market designated road, some of those specific funds could be allocated to the project. Collins said the RISE grant is a maximum of a $250,000 match for Washington County, “We went from a potential 50% [match] to a $250,000 max. On Monday morning I talked to you we were at a $250,000 max at that time. We went down from, because the property in the area that we’re talking about is not zoned.”

The RISE grant is an option because Premier 1 Supplies is looking to add 25 jobs in the next three years. Overall, the county would have to pay for about 43% of the road upgrades. That equates to be about $775,000 before contingency and engineer design fees. The supervisors will officially consider applying for the grant at their weekly meeting.