Town awarded record-breaking $22.5 million for wastewater infrastructure

The Town of Mountain City Board of Mayor and Aldermen has been awarded the largest grant award they have ever received for Disaster Supplemental funding that will allow improvements in the wastewater system to be made that will also support industrial growth in this region that has not yet been possible. The U.S. Dept. of Commerce made the award with respect to Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding efforts. Mountain City Mayor Jerry Jordan stated that he is very grateful and "proud that the Town was selected for these funds, which is a record-breaking grant amount for the Town and the County." The water and sewer systems of Mountain City and the surrounding area encompasses nearly 300 miles of underground waterlines, more than 90 miles of underground sewer lines, four water treatment plants, fourteen water tanks, sixteen pump stations and the wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Jordan noted that "These projects are critical to support our current customers and will facilitate serving new and existing business and industrial customers in our area." The grant process was lengthy and it took a dedicated team to make it happen. Mayor Jordan expressed his appreciation to supporters stating, "The Board wishes to thank the many people and organizations that supported the application, including Bill Forrester with the First Tennessee Development District, the town's engineering firm Cannon & Cannon, Inc., Johnson County, Johnson County Mayor Larry Potter, City Recorder Audra Gerty and Lucas Blankenship, the regional US. E.D.A representative serving Tennessee." The $22.5 million grant will be matched by $2.5 million in funding from the Town of Mountain City water and sewer fund. With this new funding, a flood and storm-resistant operation may be constructed at the existing wastewater plant as a complete renovation of the facility and equipment. In addition to the wastewater treatment facility, the whole sewer system will be upgraded and the system of manholes rehabilitated as well as the sewer lines serving customers' homes and businesses. Mayor Jordan is excited to have been awarded the grant and looks forward to getting started saying, "The grant application was a significant effort, and the process is very competitive. After many months of waiting, we are just thrilled to receive the announcement this week."