Scioto County Commissioners approved spending close to $95,000 of American Rescue Plan COVID recovery money for the purchase of swift water rescue equipment for township emergency services.
Adding kayak and paddleboarding access ramps to local waterways means there will be more people than ever on the water.
Commissioner Scottie Powell explained, “This will outfit our first responders in preparation for the new access to the Scioto River. This was a concern of theirs. If we’re putting more people on the bodies of water, we need the supplies and equipment to safely rescue if something happens.”
The funds are allotted as follows:
- $16,137 for Morgan Township
- $16,137 for Washington Township
- $30,417 for Valley Township
- $32, 096 for Clay Township
Powell said that Community Action had stepped in and agreed to help locate $10,000 in funding to pay for training on the equipment.
Commissioner Bryan Davis noted that Portsmouth already has swift water rescue equipment and will handle the southern part of the waterways. “This will allow us to have assets staged in other parts of the county to be able to respond quickly.”
Commissioner Powell said local EMS teams were excited about the training and this project was a great example of how public entities could work together for the common good.
Commissioners also authorized $79,000 to repair the grandstand at the Scioto County Fairgrounds. Commissioner Powell said, “If you drive up US23, you’ll see that Pike County has a new grandstand that cost them $1 million plus. We have a grandstand that is double the size of theirs that needs some attention.” Powell said maintaining the grandstand is much less expensive than replacing it.
