CFPUA receives $16.45 million grant to repair infrastructure

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On Thursday, the NC Department of Environmental Quality announced that CFPUA received all of the $16.45 million in funding it applied for under the Connect NC Bond Act of 2015.

The grant will enable CFPUA to restore aging sewer collection pipes and pump stations along the U.S. 421 Corridor; perform preventative repairs of main sewers 40 years or older located under main roads; and perform analysis of sewer infrastructure in Historic Downtown Wilmington.

CFPUA  applied for the funding before the September 30, 2016 deadline after discussing projects it would like to achieve in the coming year.

“The funding will help us accomplish several goals.  It will bolster our existing infrastructure, add to our ability to protect the environment, and allow us to move forward with new construction in support of our area’s economic development,” said Jim Flechtner, CFPUA Executive Director.

“This funding is just another example of how CFPUA and our stakeholders at the county and state levels come together to resolve important infrastructure issues for the betterment of our community,” said Mike Brown, CFPUA Board Chair.  “The opportunity to apply grant funding to the repair and replacement of aging infrastructure frees up resources for the construction of new services which will help boost our local economy.”

CFPUA’s Board must approve of the use of cash reserves to match the $16.45 million granted by the state.  Discussion is expected at our next board meeting on February 8, 2017.