The Red River Regional Wastewater Authority held a check presentation ceremony November 28, 2011 to accept a check from USDA Rural Development in the amount of $6,323,000. This loan and grant package accounts for nearly 70% of the total funding package for this $8,903,000 upgrade and expansion project. Once completed, the updated system will serve as a regional wastewater treatment facility eliminating the need for the existing wastewater treatment plant which will be decommissioned. The project also includes a new pump station and force main which will intercept all wastewater flow from Clay City and the upgrade of an existing pump station in Stanton which will direct all flow to the new facility.
Dignitaries in attendance at the event included Congressman Ben Chandler; Representative Richard Henderson; Mayor Jimmie Caudill, City of Clay City; Mayor Dale Allen, City of Stanton; Powell County Judge Executive James Anderson; Tom Fern, Rural Development State Director; Vernon Brown, Rural Utilities Service Program Director; John Brewer, Red River Wastewater Authority Chairman; Betsy Bloom, Red River Wastewater Authority Commissioner and Don Hassel and David Duttlinger from the Bluegrass Area Development District.