Cherokee County secures funds for rural transit

Cherokee Count is in line to receive more than $180,000 in federal operating and capital funds for CATS, the Cherokee Area Transportation System. CHEROKEE COUNTY

Cherokee Count is in line to receive more than $180,000 in federal operating and capital funds for CATS, the Cherokee Area Transportation System. CHEROKEE COUNTY

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has approved a contract with the state that secures federal funding for operating and capital costs for rural transit services.

The Georgia Department of Transportation will reimburse costs of the Cherokee Area Transportation System rural transportation program out of the Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas program of the Federal Transit Administration, according to a staff report to commissioners.

Total operating funds approved for fiscal 2018 are $304,934, consisting of a federal share of $152,467 and a local match of $152,467. Capital funds, to replace two shuttle buses with lifts, will total $100,279.84 and consist of a federal share of $80,223.87; a state share of $10,027.98, and a local share of $10,027.99.

Also, capital funds approved for small capital items totaled $5,800 – $4,640 being the federal share, and $580 apiece for the state and local shares.