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Houston County backs state grant bid to expand water, sewer at Distribution Park
Summary
County commissioners agreed to place on the agenda a request supporting a Growing Alabama grant application to extend a water line and increase wastewater capacity at the Houston County Distribution Park; county staff asked for local in‑kind services to strengthen the application.
Cole, a staff member, told the Houston County Commission that county officials will ask the state for roughly $3 million through the Growing Alabama grant program to extend water service and upgrade wastewater treatment at the Houston County Distribution Park, a site county staff said is home to McLean and Dixie Ag and has undeveloped acreage.
Cole said the project would connect about 2,400 feet of new 16‑inch waterline into the park’s existing system and raise the park’s package wastewater treatment plant from about 20,000 gallons per day capacity to a 50,000 gallons per day plant. He said the current plant has roughly 6,000 gallons per day of excess capacity.
The Industrial Development Board of the City of Dothan will be the applicant for the Growing Alabama grant, Cole said. He described the estimated state ask as “probably around $3,000,000,” and said showing local support — including in‑kind dirt work and clearing — would strengthen that application.
Cole asked the commission to provide in‑kind services from local crews (identified in the discussion as Barclays’ team and Tyler’s team) to furnish about one acre of pad work for a new treatment plant and clearing and grubbing for a proposed right of way for a future access road. Cole said the county would ideally complete that local work within 12 months but that staff could request extensions if needed.
Cole said the grant application is due May 16 and that the state industrial development board typically acts in the June–July timeframe, meaning staff would know over the summer whether the application is awarded. The commission had no objection to placing the request on the agenda.
County staff and the presenter characterized the work as necessary to market the park to prospective industries and to create room for new jobs and investment.
No formal vote with roll call was recorded in the transcript; the chair asked whether there were objections to placing the item on the agenda and none were voiced.
