Stimulus stump: Vice President Joe Biden to visit Faison, Pikeville
By Staff Reports
Published in News on March 31, 2009 1:46 PM
Vice President Joe Biden is expected to visit Pikeville and Faison on Wednesday to tout the White House's stimulus plan.
Officials at Goshen Medical Center in Faison say they are expecting more than $600,000 in federal money and Pikeville officials say they are hoping Biden will announce funding to help the town build a new fire station.
Pikeville police Chief Pascal Tucker said he couldn't specify the time when Biden would arrive, but confirmed that Biden was scheduled to come to the town Wednesday.
And there won't likely be only Pikeville residents at the site tomorrow.
Wayne County Manager Lee Smith not only plans to attend Biden's appearance, he said this morning he will hand the vice president's staff a package of information about county projects in need of funding, including school construction, emergency communications system and an agricultural center.
Smith said it is important for the county to get its name out so that "if the money does start flowing down, we will have our name in the hat."
The agricultural center is a "green project" that meshes well with what President Barack Obama's administration is promoting, Smith said.
He added that the county is appreciative of the visit.
While some money has started to flow, Smith said he has not seen 100 percent grants.
When seeking funding, he said it is important to ensure what the long-term effect