With approval of $1 million in a state loan in hand, Moore County can move ahead to replace a crucial lift station in Pinehurst.

The Board of Commissioners at a meeting last month approved both a project ordinance accepting the loan and an agreement covering engineering services.

In October the county was notified of approval of the $1 million low-interest loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. An engineering report must be submitted to the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources by Jan. 2.

“This project is sorely needed,” said Commissioner Larry Caddell, who made the motions for approval. His fellow commissioners were quick to agree.

The present lift station, adjacent to the 14th tee on the Pinehurst No. 8 golf course, pumps about 1 million gallons of wastewater daily. However, the report shows that it “has surpassed its useful life, resulting in sanitary sewer overflows” and “is in critical need of rehabilitation or replacement.”

Public Works Director Randy Gould said the county received seven responses to the request for qualifications. Gould said a selection review committee studied the responses and agreed that McGill Associates in partnership with Hydrostructures PA is the best choice for the engineering contract. The agreement is not to exceed $129,200.

In another utility-related matter, the commissioners agreed on a contract between the county and the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center to accept a $150,000 grant from the center to be applied to the Midland Road waterline upgrade project.

The project is to extend water lines on Midland Road in an area serving Carolina Eye Associates, which has agreed to add as many as 50 jobs in order to draw down the Rural Center grant. The upgrade will also allow the county water system to add a number of new customers in the area, as well as enable Carolina Eye to enlarge its facilities.

The county’s financial obligation to the project is not to exceed $408,200.

At the same meeting, the board approved a legally binding commitment relating to the $70,000 Individual Development Account Community Development Block Grant for the Northern Moore Family Resource Center.

Using the grant, the center hopes to help up to 30 low-income families to become homeowners. The center also receives assistance from the N.C. Housing Financing Agency.

The grant requires a local match, $15,000 to come from the county, another $15,000 from the center.

Board Chairman Nick Picerno wanted to know if such a program could put people at risk of bad mortgage situations, such as the crises of recent years.

“No, because these people understand their obligation,” said Tim Emmert, community development planner with the Moore County Department of Planning.

Approval was again unanimous.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@thepilot.com.