Local businessman Sam Watkins asked the Vance County Board of Commissioners to endorse his seeking of grants to develop a plan to extend sewer service from Zeb Vance Elementary School to the Kittrell Job Corps.
Speaking on behalf of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), Watkins said that it had come to the attention of the EDC that the Job Corps had been having sewer problems and is seeking bids to re-do their system.
Watkins said that growth could be expected if sewer were present in the area. He said that infrastructure is critical to growth.
The Embassy Project advocate told commissioners that the Job Corps would like to see sewer pursued in that area.
Watkins said that “we’d be one stip closer to having sewer down US 1.”
Asking the board’s permission to pursue the project, Watkins said, “I don’t see any negatives in it myself.”
Commissioner Danny Wright noted that the Job Corps should “have the ear” of people in Washington.
County Commission Chair Dan Brummitt told Watkins that “what you’re saying is good, but we have to be careful with money right now”.
Watkins assured Brummitt and the board that he was not talking about committing funds at this time.
Commissioner Scott Hughes moved to approve a request from the EDC to pursue grants for the project, a motion that was seconded by Commissioner Terry Garrison.
Commissioner Deborah Brown asked if stimulus money could be used. Watkins replied that he would seek funds that do not need to be repaid.
Garrison called the proposal a great opportunity to get sewer in Kittrell.
Watkins said that “nothing of any significance is going to happen without sewer”.
The motion carried unanimously.