Three Columbus County towns will receive water system grants, State Rep. Brenden Jones said today.
Boardman, Cerro Gordo and Tabor City will receive the grants via the State Water Infrastructure Authority (SWIA). The grants were approved at Wednesday’s meeting of the SWIA.
Boardman was the big winner in the funding. The town will receive $1.58 million in state funds for repairs to its sewer pump station. Cerro Gordo was awarded $500,000 for major repairs to well No. 2. Tabor City received $300,000 for engineering studies of its water and sewer system.
“I enjoy working cooperatively with the towns in my district,” Jones said. “We are in constant contact with each other and we are all working toward progress in Columbus County. Boardman and Cerro Gordo are both in a crisis with regard to their utility systems. As they search for long term solutions, I am hopeful that this grant money will allow them to better plan for their future.”
He also praised Tabor City for its aggressive economic development, which has led to the need for more water and sewer in the town.
“The recent commercial and residential growth announcements in Tabor City are very impressive,” he said. “Their leadership has reached out to me and they want to plan for a very different future over the next twenty to thirty years. I think this grant will allow them to bring in engineers, planners, and other experts to try and strategically chart their future needs for water and sewer.
“I am willing to work with Tabor City as they look over the horizon and see the explosive growth in Horry and Brunswick counties. Tabor City has said they want their future growth to be planned, orderly, and controllable.
“The General Assembly puts an emphasis on infrastructure,” Jones said. “We know how important these projects are to the quality of life that we enjoy in North Carolina.”
