Monterey Studying Price To Extend Water To Nashville Company Site

Monterey will further study extending public water for a Nashville-based company wanting to construct a new distribution center.

The city’s water and sewer committee discussed a water line project partnership with Stephens Seed and Supply Inc. Thursday. Engineer Nathaniel Green said the city could lay a water line to the city limits on Wilder Avenue, but the company would need to pay for the remainder to the site.

“I think this is the time where you find out what commitment you are going to get from the industry, and then we move forward from there,” Green said. “That’s the thing everybody has to talk about is money and who is going to pay it and normally it is going to be the developer.”

Owner Joe Stephens said he could not afford the whole project but would consider a portion of the cost. About a mile of six-inch water line would be required to serve the development on Crossville Highway.

“We see the viability of this I-40 corridor, and we’re not opposed to helping Monterey raise up whatever we want to raise up here, but within reason,” Stephens said.

Green was instructed by the committee to study a preliminary price to bring to the Board of Aldermen in February.  The company would be responsible for finding how much it could put into the project as well.

The erosion control and soil sediment company has about 10 acres it plans to develop. Stephens said the plan is to start with a 20,000 square foot facility that would employee up to 10 people.