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County accepts $1.5 million Golden Leaf grant to extend sewer to Commerce Park; approves archaeological work
Summary
The Northampton County Board of Commissioners unanimously accepted a $1.5 million grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation to build roughly 10,000 linear feet of force-main sewer from the Commerce Park to Highway 46, approved an additional $36,120 for due-diligence work, and awarded a contract to complete required archaeological studies.
The Northampton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept a $1,500,000 Golden Leaf Foundation grant to build sewer infrastructure from the county Commerce Park to a connection point on Highway 46 and to approve related due-diligence work and a contract for archaeological studies.
Derek, the county economic development director, told commissioners the grant will fund construction of about 10,000 linear feet of force-main sewer to increase wastewater capacity at the Commerce Park and allow the county to recruit industrial tenants. "In simple terms, if you can't flush the toilet, you can't bring a factory," Derek said, urging commissioners to approve the award so the project can move forward.
The Golden Leaf award covers the force-main construction and was presented as a 100% grant that does not require a county match. The board also accepted an additional $36,120 from Golden Leaf to complete extra due-diligence work required by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) after preliminary fieldwork identified potential archaeological sites. County staff said the supplemental award covers that work so grant-funded surveys can continue without county funds.
Commissioners approved a contract to Terracon to perform the additional archaeological studies required by SHPO. Derek said the work is expected to begin next week and will use the newly awarded grant funds. He described the archaeological work as a prerequisite to avoid costly construction stoppages should artifacts be discovered during site preparation.
The motions to accept the grant, approve the additional due diligence funding and award the archaeological contract passed without discussion and were adopted by voice vote.
The county manager and public works staff will administer the grant and the archaeological contract. County staff noted the infrastructure investment is intended to expand wastewater capacity and attract manufacturing and other industrial investment to Northampton County.
Commissioners also received an update that the due-diligence package previously funded included archaeological Phase I, boundary surveys and other site preparation items; the new $36,120 award covers additional SHPO-required follow-up.
Looking ahead, county staff said the award will keep the project timeline intact so construction preparation can continue while consultants complete SHPO clearance.
