Polk County Transportation Authority (PCTA) riders and employees now have an updated office to wait and work in thanks to volunteer work and equipment, initiated by transportation driver Brenda Fowler.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 17 and heard from PCTA Director Dianne Timberlake who recognized and thanked many volunteers for their dedicated time and donated supplies.

The audience gave a round of applause to the people and businesses involved in the updates after seeing pictures of the new offices. Timberlake said these contributions saved the county quite a bit of money

“Some people are naturally good at pulling people together for worthy causes,” Timberlake said. “Last fall, with tremendous initiative and persistence, one Polk County Transportation Driver, Brenda Fowler (who works part time for the Meeting Place) did just that.”

Timberlake said through Fowler’s efforts, the transportation offices received a new door to welcome visitors, fresh paint throughout the building, new flooring, a new kitchen countertop and artwork and photographs were also donated to hang on the walls.

“The brightness and beauty are welcoming to passengers waiting for the next leg of their trips, for guest visiting from state agencies, riders stopping by to pay their bills, as well as for PCTA employees,” Timberlake said. “In fact, many of the issues covered by the Polk County Maintenance Department brought the office into compliance with NCDOT requirements for safety and security and maintaining the facilities in a ‘state of good repair.’”

Timberlake recognized the following individuals and companies for their generosity:

Brenda Fowler, project manager

Labor: Kathy Martin and Thomas Harrison, T&K Handy Services-painting; Dr. David Wagner, flooring installation; Daniel Aguilon, flooring installation, trim and painting; Joey Satacey, kitchen backsplash; Betty Ann Foster, Amanda Witherspoon, Reyna and Rey Penaloza, painting assistance; Polk County Maintenance Department’s Mickey Edwards, Jeff Reid, Jason Jolley, Eli Edwards and Cindy Thompson for kitchen countertop installation, electrical wiring corrections, moving furniture, purchase and installation and cleaning.

Donations were received from: Watson’s Flooring (Columbus), hallway floor; Daniel, artwork; Dr. David Wagner (Columbus), kitchen floor; Usher’s Flooring (Hendersonville), two administrative offices; Lowes (Hendersonville and Forest City), paint; Russell Dietz, paint; Home Depot (Hendersonville), paint and Williamson’s Paint (Landrum), paint.

PCTA, located at 3 Courthouse Square in Columbus, welcomes contributions throughout the year, Timberlake said. Money received is used to expand the system to better serve the transportation needs of residents. NCDOT grant funding is available for transportation to work or for work related activities for those who qualify. These funds may also be used for trips to interviews and classes.

For information on available transportation funding, or to arrange travel inside or outside the county, including round trips to the airports, call 828-894-8203 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.