for Brundidge, PCWA

By AMY S. LANSDON

News Editor

BRUNDIDGE – Officials with the city of Brundidge and the Pike County Water Authority are no longer holding their breath in anticipation of a federal grant for infrastructure improvements.

Congressman Terry Everett, R-Enterprise, announced Tuesday the approval of a $1.8 million federal grant earmarked for infrastructure improvements to meet the needs of proposed new industrial park in Brundidge, while also providing water service to two industries, creating 154 news jobs and saving 96 others.

"We now know we will get the money that will help us and the Pike County water Authority," said Britt Thomas, Brundidge city manager.

The help will come in the form of 25 miles of water lines, sewer lines and two new water tanks, one at Hamilton Crossroads and the other inside the city limits of Brundidge. Thomas said the increase in the water and sewer if for the benefit of Carter Brothers and Southern Classic Food Group.

The $1.8 million EDA grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce will help finance water, sewer and road improvements to serve a proposed industrial park in Brundidge and water supply to the Hamilton Crossroads area. These improvements, which include water service to an industry in the industrial park and another in the Hamilton Crossroads area, will collectively help create new jobs, save jobs and generate $5 million in private investment.

"I’m delighted to announce the approval of this significant federal grant award to the City of Brundidge and the Pike County Water Authority," Everett said. "These funds are paving the way for more local jobs while preserving others.

"While I’m glad to support this funding request, this good news is in response to the hard work of Mayor Jimmy Ramage and Steve Carter, chairman of the water authority, who know that job growth is directly tied to adequate infrastructure."

Thomas said the city and the water authority have been working on and waiting for grant approval for about five or six months.

"It goes to show that all good things take time," he said. "We are looking forward to getting started. There is going to be major construction in Brundidge an d the south eastern part of Pike County."