PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - For more than a decade, Pender and Duplin counties have been working together on a sewer line connection and expansion project for the 117 Corridor, located between Wallace and Burgaw, and now, people are excited that the connection is actually scheduled to begin flowing.
The current sewer plant in Wallace is state of the art, and serves as the largest plant of its type east of the Mississippi River. The new connection is scheduled to begin flowing next week.
Many are excited about the business opportunities the new addition may bring. With a newer, much bigger capacity to treat water, business between the two counties can exist for the first time on 117, in a move to start salvaging a slumping local economy.
Town leaders say the project has been a huge undertaking and that the more than $16 million sewer project hasn't come easy. They say it comes after years of disappointments.
"We've had companies that have been interested in Pender County in the past, but their options were limited because there was not public infrastructure in place," said Rick Benton, Pender County Manager.
Building business in a rural area leaves little room for failure, and the mayor of Wallace attests that striking out hurts.
"We've had some things close as an effect of the economy," said Mayor Charles Farrior, Jr. "We have felt the tightness in the economy. It has affected Wallace."
Now, county leaders agree that there's no doubt good things will come of the expansion.
"I think the next decade will be very bright for Pender County, and there will be a lot of job creation," said Benton.
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