Third time is apparently the charm for the 3-Star Program. County Commissioners approved a resolution at Monday night’s meeting to continue participation in the program after having rejected it the two meetings prior. The county has been a participant in the program for several years.

John Pippenger told the commission he had asked to put it on the agenda one more time after speaking with Benton Mayor Jerry Stephens about the possibility of losing grants without participation in the program. Counties who are involved with the 3-Star program automatically receive additional points for grants.

Stephens was on hand at the meeting and told commissioners that Benton had several grants currently being affected by point systems. He said he was trying to get a $465,000 grant for sidewalks to the Middle and Elementary schools in Benton as well as the post office. Stephens also said he was trying for a sewer line grant on Welcome Valley Road and that he depended upon the 3-5 points added by the 3 Star program.

Shane Harris, with the Department of Economic and Community Development, said that participation in the 3-Star program also helps with grants where the cities or county have a matching part. Harris said the matching part of the grant was decreased by the 3-Star program. He also told commissioners that agreeing to the resolution did not mean they were going to be told what they had to do.

Chuck Wagner, former president of the Chamber of Commerce, asked commissioners to seriously consider the program, saying he had been president of the chamber when the program began and that it was nothing but a plus for the county.

The resolution was passed unanimously with a motion by Daren Waters and a second from Buster Lewis. Greg Brooks and Fred Wilcoxon were absent.