The Pike County Commission has decided not to pursue RAMP funding from the Alabama Department of Transportation.

In a special called meeting on Thursday, the commission weighed the pros and cons for applying for money from the Rural Assistance Match Program.

The county has benefited from Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program funds, but the money requires a 20 percent local match.

The RAMP initiative works in conjunction with ATRIP to offer assistance with the local match up to a total of $5 million for both the ATRIP and RAMP money. However, that $5 million would include money given to municipalities within the county.

Pike County Administrator Harry Sanders explained the RAMP initiative would be beneficial to counties that could not afford to match ATRIP funding. However, the commission found that it would be a greater benefit to the entire county to work cooperatively with the City of Troy to utilize ATRIP funding. Sanders also noted the county has already applied for $9 of ATRIP funds.

At Thursday’s meeting, the commission directed the county attorney to work with the City of Troy attorney to draft an agreement in hopes of solidifying a partnership with the Troy City Council in pursuit of future ATRIP funding.

“We are hoping, and what we are expecting, is to get a good bit more than what RAMP would limit us to,” Sanders explained.

“The city and the county are going to be working together to get these projects moving forward.”

Both entities are already showing partnership in applying for ATRIP funds and providing a local match with projects on Elm Street, Henderson Road and Enzor Road, Sanders said.