Gateway Sewer Expansion Project Nears Completion

After almost 15 years of planning and work, the new, bigger sewer line for the Gateway Industrial Park is finally coming to completion.

At their meeting Monday evening, City Manager Charles Cawthon told the City Council and Mayor he would like to have some kind of event to celebrate.

Known as the Gateway Industrial Project, plans began forming in 2013 when then-City Manager Gary Fesperman brought the idea before the City Council to expand the sewer line from the Gateway Industrial Park at the corner of Highways 59 and 77 because of expected growth.

Monday, Cawthon pointed out that since the original project was developed, it has undergone a number of changes for the better to make it even more efficient.

Working in partnership with Hart County, both the City of Lavonia and Hart County began seeking funding in the form of grants and GEFA loans to pay for what was thought would be a $1.3 million project.

Total cost for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Project – $1,877,991.
And for the Collection System Improvements – $4,765,962.

However, Cawthon tells WLHR News that since then, the project evolved into two separate projects.

Today there are three Gateway Industrial Parks and since then, three major industries that support the BMW plant in Greenville have been added.

Cawthon expects the project to be up and running by the end of April and is hoping to have some kind of event to celebrate in May.

After hearing from Cawthon, the Council and Mayor agreed to discuss having some kind of event to celebrate the Gateway Project’s completion at a date to be announced.