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U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre was at Shady Grove AME Zion Church in Council to present a check for $4.4 million to the county for its Phase III water project. Front row from left are County Commissioner W. D. Neill Jr.; McIntyre; Bladen County Commissioner Chairman Billy Ray Pait; Commissioner Delilah Blanks; and Commissioner Margaret Lewis-Moore. Back row are from left, Bladen County Manager Greg Martin; Commissioner David Gooden; and Area Director of USDA Rural Development Rossie Bullock. ERIN SMITH/Bladen Journal
McIntyre was at Shady Grove AME Zion Church in Council to present a check in the amount of $4.4 million to Bladen County to help pay for the construction of about 45 miles of 8-inch and 6-inch water lines. The project, referred to as the Bladen County Expansion Phase III water project, will help to bring water to 266 consumers.
According to Bladen County Commissioner Delilah Blanks, there have been concerns about the well water in the Council area. Once the project is complete, the residents will have access to clean, safe water and a reduction in the number of illnesses due to “bad drinking water.”
“Everybody wants good, clean water,” said McIntyre to the crowd in attendance.
According to McIntyre, water is an issue which affects everything from the county’s ability to attract new business to the building of new schools.
“It’s always good seeing our taxpayer dollars at work improving our communities,” said McIntyre.
As chair of the Rural Development Subcommittee, McIntyre said he has been receiving feedback from across the country that rural areas are being left out when it comes to monies for projects. Rural areas are needing help with water and wastewater projects, according to McIntyre.
“These types of projects are major and they are critical going all the way back to the biblical days,” said McIntyre.
After signing the check, McIntyre and USDA Rural Development representatives traveled to Bladenboro where they presented a check for $56,000 to the town for new police vehicles. USDA Rural Development provided a $28,000 low interest loan and $28,000 grant combined with the town’s contribution to purchase two Dodge Chargers, according to a release.
Following the Bladenboro presentation, McIntyre was scheduled to speak to a group of farmers at the Allen Game Preserve off of Center Road regarding the farm bill.
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