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EDC says engineering work is needed before business district or major development; RSA grant applications under way
Summary
The committee pressed for engineering and easement work to enable water/wastewater expansions needed for a business district, and members discussed RSA's funding applications (memo cited an application around $6 million, partly forgivable) while stressing outfall easements remain a gating issue.
Madison County’s Economic Development Committee urged the board and staff to prioritize technical engineering work to map water and wastewater extensions before pursuing a business-district zoning overlay or major commercial development.
Committee members said the business-district concept depends on extending sewer and water capacity into key parcels along U.S. 29. Speakers said the regional service authority (RSA) is performing a plant upgrade but still needs easements for the Robinson outfall; without the outfall and necessary easements, increased treatment capacity and new EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) availability are limited. "If you don't have the outfall, you're not doing anything," one speaker said, underlining the technical constraint.
A committee member asked about RSA grant activity. Jonathan, responding to questions, described a memo from RSA’s representative (Mr. Elliot) indicating an application of roughly $6 million, with a little over $1 million characterized as forgivable grant and the balance financed; projects mentioned included replacing the Thrift Road water line, extending water from Waverly down Main Street and improving looping and capacity. Committee members also referenced a potential larger funding figure discussed informally in the meeting.
The committee discussed paying for county engineering to produce plans that would allow the county to seek funding or match dollars for line extensions and to prioritize corridors where water and wastewater should be extended. Members said that with engineered plans and easement clarity they could pursue state or grant funds and protect some EDU capacity for business development rather than allowing all capacity to be consumed by housing.
Next steps recorded: pursue an engineering scope of work, follow up with RSA on grant status and easement needs, and return to the committee with cost estimates and a timeline for planning and grant applications.
