WASHINGTON (February 22, 2010)—Today, at an event at Harrodsburg City Hall with Mercer County officials, Congressman Ben Chandler announced $1.3 million dollars for the City of Harrodsburg. Harrodsburg Mayor Lonnie Campbell, Mercer County Judge Executive Milward Dedman, City Representative JoEtta Wickliffe, city commissioners, and other members of the community were present at the event.

“These are hard economic times for everyone,” Chandler said, “hard times for our businesses, our families, and even for our local government.  If Mercer County wants to grow, bringing more families and businesses, we are going to have to make sure the infrastructure can handle that growth. The funding announced today will be a big part of making that possible.”

The City of Harrodsburg will use the funding to update wastewater treatment capability by replacing aging rotating biological contactor treatment technology which has been deemed a “failed” technology by the EPA.  The project is part of an effort by Harrodsburg to comply with new water quality standards, increase capacity, and safeguard affordable sewer rates for the people of Mercer County.

“The City of Harrodsburg is very grateful to Congressman Chandler for his help with this funding,” Harrodsburg Mayor Lonnie Campbell said. “The benefits of the upgrade will save the city from building a new wastewater treatment plant which would cost the City of Harrodsburg approximately $15 million dollars. This upgrade will keep the City of Harrodsburg in compliance with state regulations and keep sewer rates down for our customers.”

Chandler continued: “Sewers and wastewater treatment aren’t the most interesting or glamorous topics, but they are so important to our communities.  Without meeting basic needs, how can we focus on the other things that make Mercer County such a great place to live?”

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