Pickens County development authority discusses joint water and sewer authority with City of Jasper

At its meeting, the Pickens County Development Authority discussed whether to pursue a joint water and sewer authority with the City of Jasper to expand access to utility taps and improve the county's capacity to attract industry. Authority members heard that limits on water and sewer access and a city moratorium on taps are constraining economic development efforts and that a joint authority could provide a unified approach to serve expanding employers.

The discussion focused on practical barriers to recruiting employers: limited sewer service outside Jasper, a lack of a through-flowing river inside Pickens County, and recent industry caution tied to tariff-driven supply delays for equipment. Authority members and city officials said the county needs coordinated water and sewer…