By Charles Owens
For Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Matoaka — Approximately $2 million in federal funding is now in place for a regional sewer project in Mercer County that will serve several communities in need.
The regional system as currently proposed has the potential to serve between 1,800 to 2,000 customers in several communities across Mercer County that are currently lacking modern infrastructure. But additional funding must be found for the project, which will likely have to be completed in different phases.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., announced Congressionally Directed Spending Awards last month to support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ projects throughout West Virginia, including $2 million for the 1A and 1B phases of the Rock District Regional Sewer Project in Mercer County. That money could be put to use soon if officials receive permission to use it for a package plant for the Matoaka community, which would be a first step for the regional sewer system.
“That’s the regional sewer project,” Mike Kennett, chairman of the Mercer County Public Service District, said of the $2 million funding award. “The plant is going to be located out in the field over in Lake Bottom where (Route) 10 meets (Route 19). That’s the plan. It would go all the way out to Spanishburg and would go up and pick up Kegley all the way back up to Matoaka.”
While additional funding would be needed to complete the entire project, Kennett said officials will seek approval to use the $2 million for a new package plant in Matoaka, which would phase out the old sewer plant in that community. That would allow for a start of construction on the project while also picking up between 70 to 80 customers.
“We are trying to see if they will let us move that money and do some of the work at Matoaka,” Kennett said. “That is also going to pick up a lot of customers there and alleviate some pollution. The Bluestone gets polluted all the time.”
Kennett said the $2 million federal funding award from Capito is a good start. However, the project as currently proposed would require millions in additional funds to be completed in its entirety. The county working in cooperation with the Region One Planning and Development Commission is seeking additional grant dollars for the project through various state and federal funding agencies.
Planning for the regional system goes back several years, according to Kennett.
“Money was always an issue,” Kennett said. “I think we are closer this time than we’ve ever been. Even if we have to do it a piece at a time.”
In her announcement, Capito said the Congressionally Directed Spending awards, formerly known as federal earmarks, would help to fund phases 1A and 1B of the Rock District Regional Sewer Project.
“As chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I am committed to ensuring our infrastructure and public works systems remain strong and reliable,” Capito said. “These funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will help support critical projects across West Virginia, providing our communities with the resources they need to strengthen infrastructure, enhance safety, and improve quality of life for residents across our state.”
Kennett said planning for the regional system is continuing.
“We’ve already done all of the easements over there,” Kennett said of the necessary pre-work. “Everything is just about done.”
In addition to the regional sewer system, Capito also announced a $1 million CDS award last month to help funding the Hiawatha-Springton Waterline Extension Project. Kennett said that project will be overseen by the Lashmeet Public Service District.
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