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By Thomas Smith, Staff Reporter

YADKINVILLE -- Almost $5 million will be given to Yadkin County from the Federal Government towards building the on-again, off-again 5-D reservoir.

Yadkin County commissioners and Rep. Virigina Foxx, R-Banner Elk announced the awarding of the money Thursday.

The funds, which will be matched by both the state and county governments, totaling more than $15 million, have been a target of the county for upwards of 30 years.

Commissioners have continually said a connected water and sewer system is vital to fostering economic growth in the county. "I think it is wonderful, but way past due," Commissioner Tommy Garner said Thursday. "Like 50 years past due."

Known as "5-D", the project is a plan to build a county reservoir to help supply outlying areas of Yadkin with centralized water.

Randy Darden, an engineer with ARCADIS, the company which handles the county's water planning, said this money will be specific to building a dam for a reservoir.

He said other projects may follow, but the completion of these funds is a major step forward for the overall plan to bring water to the county. "The 5-D reservoir gives them (commissioners) an option of putting a dam halfway between U.S. 421 and I-77,"he said. "There were concerns about if that would ever happen because that option was kind of off the table until this happened.

Now it gives them an additional planning tool towards the future. "Foxx said she is always happy when she can bring back money to the area for important issues like water and sewer, which she says, is one of the most pressing issues facing every congressman.

"We all know that water and sewer are critical to economic development," Foxx said. "But getting water and sewer money is one of the toughest things to do these days because everybody in the country wants water and sewer. I bet every member of congress would tell you it's their number one priority. It is tough to get this funding."

Foxx said she sees it is a major part of her job to keep in touch with counties and know what their needs are from the federal government. She said it makes things easier when state and local levels have pledged money.

"This is very important to Yadkin County which meant it is very important to me," Foxx said. "I am very pleased we have been able to get some results and it is a good cooperative effort, which is important. It is always good to have the state and local participation when you ask for help from the federal government because I think these projects should be initiated at the local level. I complement the folks in Yadkin who have been working on this for a long time, and I am just glad we can be a part of that."

Commissioners have been working with Jonesville officials to update the town's water plant to be used to supply water to other parts of the county, such as Starmount High School and the I-77/US Hwy 421 interchange.

County board Chairwoman Kim Phillips said Thursday the Jonesville project is still a major concern. "We still need all of it," she said. "We still need a water treatment plant in Jonesville. This will be part of meeting the needs of the lines that we are putting in now. It is a huge piece of a big overall progress and these funds will make that piece possible."

Darden said the construction of the dam itself, whenever it may take place, would take a substantial amount of time to complete.

"It will a couple of years to get the dam built and then depending on water flow you have to fill the reservoir behind it," he said. Darden said an environmental impact statement has been done and the county has all but one parcel of land to purchase for the site.

While the project is still years away, Commissioner Chad Wagoner said he sees numerous positive impacts for the county.

"I think it is fantastic," Wagoner said. "I think it is something the county is going to be needing for future growth. I am assuming the 5-D project will be a many year project and the Jonesville plant will be addressed before the 5-D project is completed but at least this gives us an ace in the hole. I think it not only impacts the water situation but it stretches further than that."

Wagoner said the site will be a sizable amount of acreage and the reservoir itself can be used for recreational purposes, improving the entertainment aspect of the county and bringing in outside dollars.

Foxx said the effort from the county made all the difference in the ability to tie up the funds. "I love helping the counties that are working to help themselves and Yadkin is doing that," she said. "It makes it a lot easier for me."

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