AIKEN - Discussions about the most effective ways to help the recovery of Graniteville continued at an Aiken County Council budget work session Wednesday.

Representatives of the Graniteville Community Coalition, a grass-roots organization formed shortly after last year's train derailment and chlorine spill, asked the council for $50,000 to develop a strategic plan.

"Our desire is not just to get the money. Our desire is to do what's necessary to help that community," said the Rev. James Abraham, a coalition member and pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Graniteville.

This group is hardly alone in its efforts to secure funding for Graniteville's well-being. Last week representatives of another community group came to a budget work session trying to convince the council that a $340,000 state allocation for Graniteville disaster relief should be spent on an emergency alert system and health screenings.

Larry Fridie said Wednesday that a strategic plan would include issues such as affordable housing and economic development.

He said about 7,000 people were affected by the train wreck.

"Now we've got an employment issue that also has to be put into this plan," said Mr. Fridie, referring to the recent announcement that Avondale Mills will shut down its Aiken County operations in July.

He also said the community needed a strategic plan to get state and federal funding.

Councilman Scott Singer supported the idea of setting aside funds for a strategic plan. However, Councilman Chuck Smith said that, instead of underwriting a particular group, he would like to establish a board of trustees to direct how money is spent in Graniteville.

"We all have a stake in what happens in Graniteville," he said.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.