No matter how snazzy the pitch for economic developers, if a community does not have that most basic of needs – clean and plentiful water – that pitch will land flat. This week, the Newton County Water and Sewage Authority (NCWSA) hosted officials and community leaders at their acclaimed water reclamation facility as a reminder of this most critical of assets.
Guests were presented with a brief history of the A. Scott Emmons Water Reclamation Facility and its role in raising the quality of life in Newton County.
“Thanks to the hard work of our team, our customers, as well as our business and community partners, NCWSA has become a point of pride for our region,” said Mike Hopkins, NCWSA Executive Director. “Over the last five years we have seen tremendous new growth in Stanton Springs, and thanks to the leadership of our county and state we have continued to invest in the infrastructure that will allow Newton to grow and meet the needs of the next generation.”
Part of that new investment is an innovative reverse osmosis facility that will break ground this fall. Additionally, the NCWSA team discussed plans for the $91 million they are receiving as part of a $212.7 million American Rescue Plan grant awarded to the City of Covington, Newton County Water Resources and NCWSA. The $91 million will go towards renovating existing water resources and improve drinking water infrastructure for the community. The NCWSA facility is located in Stanton Springs, the industrial park that will eventually be home to the new Rivian Automotive plant. Stanton Springs already hosts Takeda pharmaceutical manufacturing and Meta data centers.
“NCWSA has built an innovative facility that is providing best-in-class utility service to our businesses here in Stanton Springs. They are critical to the sustainability goals of the region – and the work of partners at the Newton Chamber, County Commission, and Joint Development Authority – to help Newton stay competitive for quality jobs and next generation businesses,” said Serra P. Hall, Executive Director of the Newton County Industrial Development Authority (NCIDA). “It is no accident that Newton County and its regional partners have been successful in attracting more than $6 billion in investments and 9,000 quality new jobs over the last two years. That could not be achieved without NCWSA – they embody the true spirit of collaboration that unites all of us to make Newton and Georgia a great place to work and raise a family.”
Representatives from Takeda and Meta also spoke to attendees about the role NCWSA has played in fostering the success of their businesses in the region. After the visit to the Emmons facility, attendees moved to a tour of the Meta and Takeda facilities to tour there as well and see first-hand the role water plays in the operations of these companies in Newton County.
Presumably, and certainly if Hall and the NCIDA have anything to do with it, Rivian will not be the last economic development win for Newton County and the NCWSA will be a critical part of those future pitches.
