News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Gainesboro Board of Aldermen approved accepting some $1.5 million of the county’s ARP funding Thursday night to use towards the new Water Treatment Plant.
The new plant is estimated to cost some $10.5 million. Mayor Lloyd Williams said the aid will be a tremendous help in covering the cost of the project and that he’s grateful for the help.
“We’re hoping with that grant and maybe a couple of others, right now we’ve got 21 percent of it paid for already, and we’re looking for more grants, but you talk about getting us on the way, it kind of helped us in making the decision to go ahead with it,” Williams said. “Without that money, it would have been really difficult for us.”
Williams said his goal is to get 50 percent of the project grant funded. Williams said more money will become available in December when counties and municipalities turn in their leftover ARP funding, which they plan to apply for.
“I was up at night thinking about it, I know that’s a lot of money,” Williams said. “But it comes down to it, if we wait five years to do it, then it’s going to cost a lot more. I think this is the right thing to do.”
In addition to grant monies, there could be a gradual rate increase in water bills. Engineer Consultant Zeda Hillis said they based projections off of not getting additional grant monies or not getting loan forgiveness.
Williams said with a new water treatment plant, they hope to expand coverage and provide for more customers. He said they are in the process of working with the Jackson County Utility District.
