Thayne Senior Center seeks $1.5 million match; commissioners offer limited support

Leaders of the Thayne Senior Center asked Lincoln County commissioners Dec. 6 for local matching funds to support a proposed $1.5 million grant application for a new facility.

Melinda Pebbles, director of the Thayne Senior Center, told the commission the group is applying for grant funding but needs $1.5 million in matching money to proceed. Dan Carter, president of the center, described constraints at the existing facility, citing limited kitchen and storage space that hamper meal preparation and food storage for the seniors they serve.

Chairman Robert King said he could not commit county matching funds at the meeting but offered to attend the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) meeting to advocate for the center’s grant application. Commissioners did not direct staff to allocate county funds at that session; the board said it would review further documentation if provided by the senior center board.

What happens next: the senior center will proceed with its grant application and provide additional documentation and election results supporting the district formation; Chairman King will attend the SLIB meeting to voice county support.