North Carolina Construction News staff writer
A $13.2 million water infrastructure grant has been announced for Sampson County to provide water system connections for the community of Ivanhoe.
“All North Carolinians deserve safe and clean drinking water,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This investment will help families and business owners in Ivanhoe have confidence that this community will continue to grow and thrive.”
In July, $789.4 million was announced for 385 water and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide, including 140 construction projects. So far, 86 counties are receiving funds to upgrade their water infrastructure with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), state reserve funds and state budget allocations.
The application period for the next round of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, which will include the first ARPA stormwater funding, is open now through September 30.
Currently, Ivanhoe does not have a water distribution system. This investment will provide Sampson County with $13,283,000 to design and construct a new public water supply system in the Ivanhoe area. The water supply system will create 40 miles of new water lines, connect over 350 homes and includes the connection fees for each home.
On average, North Carolina invests about $200 million annually in the state’s water infrastructure. North Carolina will be investing $2.3 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure in communities across the state.
“Sampson County has worked for years to develop our water system, despite having been told that it simply couldn’t be done. That’s the hallmark of our great county – making the seemingly impossible, possible,” said Sampson County Commission Chairperson Sue Lee.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to those commissioners who years ago had the courage to pursue a countywide water system, to those throughout the years who have endeavored to develop it, and certainly the State of North Carolina for their generous funding that enables us to now expand it to serve the citizens of Ivanhoe.”