Pennington Gap, Va., wins grant to help protect against future flooding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2024

CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org

Pennington Gap, Va. — The town of Pennington Gap, Virginia, was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund.

The town worked with Appalachian Voices, Wetlands Watch and the Environmental Defense Fund to apply for the grant, which will help the town hire a consultant to conduct a detailed assessment of the town’s floodplains and wetlands. The consultant will then work with the town and local stakeholders to compile strategies for flood mitigation.

As a result of the grant, two town employees will also become Certified Floodplain Managers and join the Association of State Floodplain Management.

“We are moving forward at the Town of Pennington Gap,” said Tammy Jo Franklin, Director of Parks and Recreation for Pennington Gap. “This grant will help support the planning and development of new projects, programs and initiatives; provide research, create blueprints and designs; and establish strategies for the implementation of improvement for our outdoor recreation. This grant will provide the necessary groundwork for successful development. We are very thankful and excited for this.”

The site-specific survey and flood-mitigation opportunities compiled through this CFPF award will help ensure the protection of the Town Hall and police headquarters, both of which are vital community resources, especially during flood events.

“We’re so excited to see Pennington Gap receive these funds, and incredibly grateful to Wetlands Watch and the Environmental Defense Fund for their help.” said Emma Kelly, New Economy Field Coordinator for Appalachian Voices. “This will make sure that Pennington Gap is prepared to face future floods, while also conserving their unique wetlands and greenspaces.”

This grant will help Pennington Gap develop a more detailed flood mitigation project list with projects that could benefit the town and potentially provide shelter during disasters.

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