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CDBG hearing draws infrastructure asks; Eastpoint water/sewer upgrades proposed for Highway 65 growth
Summary
At a public hearing for the FFY2025 CDBG cycle, consultant Heather Pullen reviewed eligible activities and Eastpoint Water and Sewer District representative Billy Fuentes urged funding for horizontal infrastructure upgrades (force main use, ground storage tank, lift stations, vacuum-line rehabilitation and sewer extensions) to support development along Highway 65 and coastal neighborhoods.
Franklin County held a public hearing April 1 to gather citizen input for a possible FFY2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. Consultant Heather Pullen explained eligible categories (neighborhood revitalization, commercial revitalization, housing rehabilitation up to $750,000; or economic development up to $1.5 million) and the National Objectives that construction activities must meet.
Public comment focused on water and sewer infrastructure needs in Eastpoint and along County Highway 65. Billy Fuentes, speaking for Eastpoint Water and Sewer, said the district has capacity at the treatment plant but needs horizontal upgrades to serve planned development: fully utilize an existing 12-inch main, add a ground storage tank to improve fire suppression capacity, install a lift station and chlorine-boosting equipment, and replace undersized vacuum piping on School Road and Tucker Road. Fuentes said some grant and low-interest funding avenues have been pursued but that large capital needs remain.
Commissioners noted the CDBG program’s strict income and asset limits for residential rehabilitation projects (a recent cycle produced fewer eligible homeowner applicants than expected) and emphasized that the board will weigh whether to pursue a neighborhood/housing application or a larger economic-development application. The board will select a target project at the April 15 public hearing.
Quote: “We already have a force main sewer there. We already have water lines, but we currently only utilize a portion of our 12-inch main... we are looking at potentially an additional ground storage tank,” said Eastpoint representative Billy Fuentes.
Ending: The county will compile public comments and return April 15 with a proposed project selection and application strategy.
