The Green River Area Development District (GRADD) was awarded a 2016 National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Innovation Award for the McLean County Regional Water Plant. The NADO Innovation Award honors significant advances in community and economic development that help improve the quality of life for diverse communities. Esri and NADO are working together to promote innovation for regional governments across the country. More information regarding NADO and the 2016 Innovation Award winners can be found at NADO Innovation Awards 2016.
The McLean County Regional Water Commission (MCRWC), created in 2012, includes the cities of Calhoun, Island, Livermore, and Sacramento, Kentucky; along with the North McLean County Water District and the McLean County Fiscal Court. With a goal of regionalizing the area’s water operations, the commission worked to plan and secure funding for a new 2 mgd conventional water treatment plant. Currently under construction, the project, designed by Bell Engineering, also includes upgrades to the existing raw water intake and raw water pump station at Calhoun, new transmission mains to serve Sacramento and Livermore, and a new booster pumping station to serve the region.
Bell Engineering worked with the MCRWC and determined that a regional facility would be the most effective and efficient way to provide reliable and affordable water treatment and distribution to the area. Bell’s assistance, along with the cooperation of the local city and county governments, the local water district and state leadership, led to the project being awarded a $1,000,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a $2,500,000 KIA loan, and $7,416,000 USDA Rural Development (RD) grant and loan.