BRTC receives $1.2 million grant for flood mitigation efforts
by January 14, 2021 1:03 pm 297 views
Major flooding along the Black River has been a significant problem in Lawrence and Randolph counties in recent years. The eastern half of Pocahontas, where the Ozark Mountains transform into the flat Delta Region divided by the river, gets hit especially hard. One of the largest college’s in the region, Black River Technical College, has its main campus in this heavily flooded zone.
BRTC has been notified by the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) that its grant application for flood mitigation was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
BRTC received a $1,235,737.76 grant to construct a system of earthen berms, masonry wall, sump and discharge pipes around the perimeter of the main campus. The construction of this berm will prevent any future destruction of the campus facilities by flood waters.
The funds for the BRTC Berm Project are made available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) through ADEM.
The college is currently advertising for bids on the project with a bid opening planned for Feb. 5. A pre-bid meeting will be held on Jan. 26. Plans are for construction to get underway in March.
The college is working with CahoonSteiling Architecture of Jonesboro and Ben DeClerk is the engineer overseeing the project. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $1,621,905.81.