VIENNA — Local contractors are looking for some relief that may help put them back into the workforce.

During a recent meeting of the Dooly County Commissioners, board members voted to help provide transportation for some of the area contractors to go to a meeting in North Georgia on July 9.

For the past few months local contractors have been struggling to get by, Their problems apparently began with the passing of new licensing laws for commercial and residential contractors.

The law requires a state contractor’s license for any residential or commercial construction project exceeding $2,500. Contractors are also required to purchase permits and pay insurance, and for many, they say it is more than they can afford even if the customers are paying for the permits.

Eddie Daniels, mayor pro tem with the City of Vienna talked to commissioners about an upcoming town hall meeting to be held in Rome.

The purpose of meeting is to give contractors the opportunity either to receive some help in getting licensed or to be grandfathered in if they have been in business for a number of years, he said.

Daniels requested the use of a county van and some help with travel to transport some of the area contractors to the meeting.

The meeting is being hosted by the Rome City Commission and will include a panel of special guests to answer questions citizens may have about the licensing laws.

Also on the Commission agenda Thursday:

• Kenny Calhoun, Dooly EMA director approached commissioners about the possibility of using some county land across from Public Works Department on Old National Hwy to create a training facility.

• During a past meeting of the board, members denied Mary Edith Johnson’s application for a license for the retail sale of beer for on-premises consumption at the Camper’s Haven Grocery. Mrs. Johnson has decided to appeal this decision and has re-applied for the license. Commissioners will be conducting a public hearing at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, to receive public comments regarding this application.

• Commissioners have applied to the USDA Rural Development for a community facilities loan and grant. The funds will be used for improvements at the Flint Humane Society Facility. There will be a public meeting to inform citizens about the project and to seek comments and input at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2009 in the conference room of the Dooly County Economic Development Training Center.