An anticipated $40 million in funding for water projects is being cut from the budget as the state aims to cut $1.6 billion in expenses as revenues plummet.
The Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority recently agreed to seek a grant for roughly $750,000 from the state for the construction of a water system in the Harrison area.
But those plans are now on hold.
“GEFA (the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority) called Wednesday or Thursday and said all that (the money for water) is off,” said IDA Executive Director Marvin White. “There’s no funding for it.”
White said Madison County will have an application ready to go for the Harrison area, so that the IDA can apply whenever funding is available.
The Harrison system would include a line from Franklin County to the northern Madison County district. That line would eventually be connected to Madico Park.
At a recent IDA meeting, authority members outlined their big-picture water goals and how a Harrison system fits into those plans. IDA members expressed a desire to have an interconnected, countywide water system, which loops together small water systems in various parts of the county. On top of that, they say it’s important to connect Madison County to water systems outside of the county, such as Franklin County’s, where water rates are currently very low. The establishment of a Harrison water system with a line from Franklin County is a step forward in that long-term strategic goal of interlinking systems within the county, as well as outside of the county.
ready to go for the money again. With an IDA Board that
we have got , we as Madison County Citizens are PROUD OF
YOU !!!!!!! Thanks again .
Harrison Volunteer Fire Department
Chief , A. Wayne Smith