Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that nearly $40.5 million will be awarded to 35 communities in 28 counties for public water supply projects from the first-round distribution of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“These projects will create jobs, boost the economy and improve public water supply infrastructure in all parts of North Carolina,” said Gov. Perdue.
Project awards made by the Division of Environmental Health totaled approximately $40,381,153. Towns from Kill Devil Hills – for tank mixers to improve water quality – to Andrews – for storage lagoon replacement – to Green Level for an elevated storage tank – will benefit from the program.
Johnston County, Green County, Catawba County, Perquimans County, Morehead City and Farmville, were each awarded the maximum amount allowed by the ARRA program: $3 million. The full list of first-round award recipients is now available at: www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pws/recovery.htm.
Six of the 35 first-round projects to receive funding are “green” projects that include public water supply treatment upgrades and waterline replacements. Round One funding committed for these projects is nearly $4.3 million. Since the ARRA requires that at least 20 percent of all the monies awarded be spent on green projects, approximately $9 million will be available for eligible green projects in Round Two funding.
Project awards are not final until all ARRA and other federal requirements have been met and the Local Government Commission approves the recipient’s financial qualifications.
The Division of Environmental Health’s Public Water Supply Section, which administers the public water supply recovery funds, received a federal capitalization grant of $65,625,000 on April 15.
Funds will be awarded as 50 percent zero-interest loans and 50 percent principal forgiveness loans. In accordance with ARRA requirements, priority is given to projects that can proceed quickly, already have any required permits and have additional funding committed, if needed.
Projects that were identified on one of the three lists in the Intended Use Plan that become ready-to-proceed, including a completed application by June 3, will be eligible for Round Two funding.
For the second round, green projects identified in the IUP will be funded up to the 20 percent ARRA requirement.
Those eligible for Round Two funding should visit the DEH Web site at: www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pws/recovery.htm for additional information.
