Nashville approves interlocal agreement to extend sewer to Freedom Industries expansion

The Town of Nashville on March 18 approved an interlocal agreement among the town, Nash County, and the City of Rocky Mount to allow Freedom Industries’ Project Patriot expansion to connect to sewer and water without annexation.

Randy summarized the agreement, saying Nash County applied for and was awarded approximately $280,000 to help extend sanitary sewer toward the Freedom Industries site, which plans to acquire about 30 acres adjacent to its current operation. Under the agreement, Freedom Industries will cover extension costs beyond the county grant and both the city and town agreed not to require annexation for utility connection in this instance.

Town attorney Raz explained statutory constraints around interlocal agreements and noted that, although the draft uses a five-year termination date required by statute, "there is no practical way that water and sewer would or could legally be disconnected" after services commence, meaning annexation would be voluntary in practice. Council approved the interlocal agreement by voice vote.

The agreement describes cost-sharing and service conditions: Nash County will administer the grant funding to extend sewer, Freedom Industries will pay remaining extension costs, and the town will accept sewer connections under the negotiated terms. Council members expressed general support for the expansion and noted it could create jobs and private investment in the industrial area. The transcript did not record a roll-call vote or the precise number of jobs the expansion will create.