By David Fleet
Editor
Goodrich— On July 10 the village council voted 5-0 allocate $197,987 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for sewer infrastructure improvements.
In April the village council voted 5-0 to move forward with an agreement to join in the funding and usage with Atlas, Grand Blanc and Davison townships along with the Northwestern Oakland Drain Drainage District for construction of the Kearsley Creek Interceptor North (KCI).
The $33 million project, projected to begin later this year will provide public sewer service to some areas and add sewer capacity to other communities where it may be insufficient.
The cost of the project facilities of the KCI will require local financing estimated at $15,090,000, which will be financed by one or more series of bonds.
The Village of Goodrich will use 300 units at 3.62% of the cost or about $500,000, of which a portion will be covered by the $197,987 in ARPA funds.
In addition, earlier this year Atlas Township will use 800 sewer units at 9.67% of the cost or $1,459,203; Davison Township 1,000 sewer units at 12.08% of the cost or $1,822,872. The balance will be used by Grand Blanc Township with 6,176 sewer units at 74.63% of the cost or $9,319,584.
“Genesee County will provide the bonding,” said Sheri Wilkerson, village administrator. “The village will then repay the county for their share.”
The sewer project is just one of several projects that qualify to be funded by the ARPA. Signed into in March 2021, the fund provides $350 billion in relief to states and local governments to fight the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds must be used by 2025.
In addition, the new portion of the village sewer project will be separated from the township portion.