Stimulus Money To Aid Nashville’s Sewers, Create Jobs

The sewer system in Nashville, Tennessee, has been in need of an overhaul for many years.  Now some money from the stimulus plan, which President Obama signed on February 17, will give Nashville the opportunity to update its outdated water system.

According to officials in the federal government, the state of Tennessee will receive an estimated $77.7 million to update and work on sewer treatment plants and drinking water systems.  Much of this money is anticipated to go to work in middle Tennessee.

“When you put $77 million worth of capital work in the state of Tennessee, that’s jobs for engineers and consultants and architects and construction,” said Emily Evans, Metro Council member.

Metro Water Services in Nashville has a long to-do list for the city’s sewers.  The total cost to do everything would amount to $60 million dollars.  How much money is allotted to the city of Nashville is up to the state of Tennessee.

“We submitted to the state a list of projects for water, sewer and storm water that essentially could be done as soon as the money is available,” said John Kennedy, of Metro Water Services.

This past Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency spoke to state officials about moving forward on the project.  When the contractors for the work are selected, applications for jobs on the project will begin.

Find a job in Nashville at Employment Crossing.