Like old Mother Hubbard's cupboard, Lawrence County's pocketbook is never full.

It and other local governments, therefore, must rely on state and federal help to pay for many major projects such installation of water and sewer facilities and storm drain projects.

Thursday, the Lawrence County Commission approved a resolution calling on the area's leaders in Washington to do what they can to ensure the

Appalachian Regional Commission is fully funded.

Lawrence County Commissioner George Patterson said cuts to ARC funding would have a negative impact on Lawrence County. "If they cut it drastically this could mean (a loss of) projects for us," Patterson said.

Ohio receives approximately $4.4 million annually from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Earlier this year, local leaders requested ARC funding to build a fire training facility at Collins Career Center, install a traffic light in the village of Coal Grove and help fund a pharmacy assistance program through the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization.

Late last week, T.J. Justice, director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, told members of

Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce that ARC funding is under attack in Washington and appropriations could be cut.

The county's resolution asks Senators Mike DeWine and George Voinovich and sixth district Congressman Ted Strickland to use the powers of their offices to prevent ARC funding cuts.