Members of the EOC committee and the Meigs County Commissioners look at plans for the new Emergency Operations Center during a meeting on Thursday morning. Pictured are (clockwise from bottom left) Penny Mullen of RVC Architects, commissioner Michael Bartrum, John Valentour of RVC Architects, commissioner Randy Smith, commissioner Tim Ihle, Chris Fleming representing the fiduciary agent, 911 Director Doug Lavender, and Meigs EMA Director Bob Byer.

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POMEROY — It’s back on.

After more than two months of uncertainty, the grant funding to construct a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Meigs County is now back on.

The Meigs County Commissioners and the EOC Committee meet on Thursday to discuss plans for moving forward with the project now that the funds are in place.

The county had been awarded the $700,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the West Virginia Public Port Authority to construct a new EOC. The grant agreement between the Port of Huntington Tri-State, Area Maritime Security Committee and Meigs County Emergency Services Agency had been signed on March 8, 2012, to award the funding to the county.

The grant was part of the 2009 funding year monies, which called for a final draw down of funds by Sept. 30, 2012.

At the time of the agreement, it was believed by the county that an extension was in place until 2014. Late last year, it became apparent that the extension was not in place.

Given the scope of the project, it was not possible for the project to progress without an extension being granted.

That extension is now in place.

The extension did not come without a battle. Commissioners and other committee members have contacted many officials, department heads and government representatives in an effort to gain the extension they believed was already in place.

The project, according to the extension, must be completed by Dec. 31, 2013.

Plans are to have the 5,000-square-foot EOC constructed on property provided by the Community Improvement Corporation and located near the newly built Family Healthcare medical office on Pomeroy Pike.

RVC Architects, Inc. has provided architectural services for the county with regard to the project and the design of the building, and presented detailed design plans during Thursday’s meeting.

The West Virginia Public Port Authority will serve as the fiduciary agent for the project and was represented by Development Coordinator Chris Fleming at the meeting.

The project will likely be advertised for bids in March, with a contract awarded in April and groundbreaking soon after.

Attending Thursday’s meeting were Meigs EMA Director Bob Byer, 911 Director Doug Lavendar, Danny Davis, John Valentour and Penny Mullen of RVC Architects, Fleming, and Meigs County Commissioners Tim Ihle, Michael Bartrum and Randy Smith.