Providing basic water and sewer services for a proposed industrial park along Trento Lane tops the list of projects the county is considering submitting for the competitive Community Development Block Grant.

Shannon Ernst, Churchill County Social Services director, briefed the Churchill County Commission on the CDBG committee's recommended proposals at Thursday's commission meeting. The committee is comprised of several Churchill County department heads. Four other proposed projects on the priority list were presented by Ernst, Planning Director Eleanor Lockwood and Parks and Recreation Director Jorge Guerrero.

Lockwood said constructing an industrial park with water and sewer infrastructure would provide an opportunity for more jobs in the county and boost economic development. She suggested including a rail park to capitalize on trains already serving users further east on the rail line, which terminates in the city. Lockwood, who said she liked to dream big, also floated the idea of looking into the feasibility of an air park.

The second priority on the CDBG committee's list is expanding the county water and sewer system along the Reno Highway to accommodate three mobile home parks located within a two-mile stretch. Lockwood said the OK Mobile Home Park, Sage Valley RV Park and R&M Mobile Home Park all have substandard water systems without adequate water for fire protection. Also, their water systems do not meet the current EPA standards regarding arsenic levels

By expanding the water and sewer lines out to these trailer parks, it would also open opportunities to promote development of commercial sites along Highway 50, bringing in needed jobs.

The third proposal also involves water and sewer, but to provide assistance to low or moderate income homeowners by connecting to public facilities to remove potential health hazards. Ernst said the idea is to provide a revolving fund that residents can use to borrow from instead of obtaining a second mortgage.

Guerrero presented the fourth proposal on the list of five. He said Parks and Recreation would benefit from the creation of a master plan for the 1,000 acres at Soda Lake the county obtained in 2005. He said by developing the area for tourism, the county could realize economic benefit from fuel sales and sales tax.

He included the expansion of handicapped parking at the fairgrounds in the Parks and Recreation proposal.

The last proposal for the CDBG funds is affordable housing, which would include supporting developers that provide affordable housing and helping residents become homeowners. Ernst said the affordable housing issue has been on the CDBG priority list for 10 years because it is vital to the community.

Projects involving water and sewer infrastructure are important this year because of the progress of the county water and sewer system, Ernst said.

She said projects that aren't funded through the CDBG program will be considered for other grant opportunities that pass through her office.

The public is invited to comment on the county's priority list, which will be presented again at the Nov. 21 county commission meeting. To propose ideas or offer comment, submit them in writing to the social services office at 485 W. B St., Suite 105, or via e-mail to socialservices@churchillcounty.org.