U.S. House Rep. Virginia Foxx (center) discusses issues during a visit to Sparta on Tuesday. Pictured are Commissioner Sandy Herndon (from left), Foxx’s District Director Todd Poole, Foxx, and Alleghany Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Bamberg. The chamber hosted the event at the Sparta United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

Foxx pays ‘listening visit’ to Sparta

Recently elected 5th District U.S. Congress Rep. Virginia Foxx paid a visit to Alleghany County on a district-wide ‘listening tour’ on Tuesday.

Foxx was met by a large gathering of local officials at an event sponsored by the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce, which was hosted by Sparta United Methodist Church. Those in attendance included representatives of town and county government, industry, the Ministerium, the Teapot Museum project, Alleghany Memorial Hospital and other local groups and organizations.

Several items were on the agenda for federal funding, including a joint water project on New River involving the Town of Sparta and the Town of Independence, Va., improvements to U.S. 21 South, industrial park funding and funding for the Alleghany County Courthouse.

Foxx made few comments during the presentation, which also was attended by her district director, Todd Poole.

Water Project

The presentation by Town Manager Bryan Edwards on the water project was by far the most extensive.

Edwards noted that the two towns currently have separate water systems “serving 1,820 connections.”

The two towns have 23 wells, each originally capable of offering 1,233 gallons per hour. However, those wells average output has diminished to 677 gallons.

“Both towns are operating near capacity,” Edwards noted. He said the joint project on New River would carry a total price tag of about $8.2 million.

A feasibility study has been conducted on the project, which stipulated that the two towns would have demand for water of about 645,000 gallons at that time, while the maximum permitted withdrawal is only 524,000 gallons. “Drought could affect the water supply,” said Edwards.

He said the water capacity could affect industry recruitment. “This project deserves special consideration...job creation is much needed.”

He noted that the cost of the project likely will be prohibitive without federal help.

County Requests

County Manager Don Adams listed county requests for funding, including help with extending improvements to U.S. 21 down the mountain through Wilkes County and into Surry County.

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