NCLM Southern City Volume 71, Issue 4, 2021-22

SOUTHERN CITY QUARTER 4 2021 32 The American Rescue Plan and Local Infrastructure All across ourstate, cities and towns implement transformational changeswhen given the opportunity. The case studies presented here highlight that leadership and showcase the transformational changes that can occurwhen ourcommunities receive support. Case Studies CASE STUDY • 01 Bethel, NC (Community size: 1,640; System Users: 850) Since 2017, the Town of Bethel, located in Pitt County, has been on a path to get out of the water and sewer business by working on a regionalization project with the City of Greenville. The project has not been without expense and could not have happened without significant outside funding. The town received a $50,000 grant (awarded by the state Division of Water Infrastructure) to study the feasibility of regionalization in 2017. Then in 2020, it received various grants totaling $4.5 million to begin the actual infrastructure work, allowing the town to catch up on deferred maintenance and other tasks that ensured its partner municipality, and its ratepayers would not assume that cost. The work includes point repairs of sewer lines, replacement of some water lines, changes intended to reduce water infiltration, and possible relocation of a pump station to a less flood-prone area. For Bethel and its residents, the result may not only be a more sustainable system moving forward, but also eventual cheaper water and sewer rates. That change may not happen immediately, as the town is currently paying down some earlier, existing debt taken for system improvements. But lower rates remain a goal of everyone involved and could help attract more residents and businesses in the future. Support Received $50,000 grant in 2017; $4.5 million in grants in 2020. Projects Catch up on deferred maintenance; water and sewer organization. Goals Sustainable infrastructure; lower rates for utility users.

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