Hookerton, La Grange receive development grants

The towns of Hookerton and La Grange were recipients of grant money from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. The grants were given to assist water and sewer projects that address infrastructure related to public and environmental health.

Hookerton received $20,000 to conduct a study of problems with the water and sewage system.

Hookerton Mayor Bob Taylor said the system is in need of replacement.

“We have got to come up with a plan on how to fix this. The (grant) money will help,” Taylor said. “They put in a new sewer system 10 years ago that never worked. We’ve got the same problem now that we had then.”

The study will detect sources of leaks. The town will also conduct a rate study.

La Grange received $40,000 for a capital improvements plan and engineering report on the water and sewer systems. All public officials in La Grange city government were observing the Labor Day holiday and were unavailable for this report.

The N.C. Rural Center awarded 67 grants totaling $5.2 million to create jobs and address clean water needs throughout North Carolina. The grants will assist communities in 46 rural counties and create 375 jobs. 

The center’s board of directors approved the grants Aug. 25. The grants were made possible by appropriations of the N.C. General Assembly.

Justin Hill can be reached at 559-1078 or jhill@freedomenc.com.