MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $500,000 grant to help the town of Maplesville expand and improve its sewer services.
The grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will enable the system to provide better service to existing and prospective customers and attract new businesses. The initiative will address the challenges associated with failing private septic systems.
“Adequate utility infrastructure is a key element to a municipality’s growth and vitality,” Gov. Ivey said. “This project will help the town of Maplesville provide a solution to failing private septic systems that many households and businesses are experiencing while using the expanded service to attract new businesses and jobs to the area.”
The $500,000 ARC grant will be combined with $1.5 million the town received under the American Rescue Plan Act to extend sewer lines along U.S. Highway 82 and Alabama Highway 22.
Town officials said that offering the service as an alternative to private septic tanks reduces the possibility of raw sewage infiltrating nearby creeks and streams. The improved sewer lines will also help West Frazer papermill, which employs 150. The business has, at its own expense, been storing its wastewater in on-site holding tanks and having a contractor haul it away.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.
“This sewer improvement project is a major step for the town of Maplesville,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Having adequate infrastructure in place on major roads like U.S. Highway 82 and Alabama Highway 22 is an invitation for businesses to come in and set up shop, benefitting the area.”
Gov. Ivey informed Mayor W.C. Hayes Jr. of the approved grant.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Chilton County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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Media Contact:
Jim Plott or Mike Presley
ADECA Communications and External Affairs
(334) 242-5525
