Northampton County project earns NADO award

Published 4:24 pm Friday, November 13, 2020

JACKSON – A wastewater project in Seaboard has earned Northampton County some national recognition.

The Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG), a regional organization which assists in planning and development projects in several counties including Northampton, recently received an Aliceann Wohlbruck NADO Impact Award for their work on the project to connect sewer service from the town of Seaboard to the West Fraser timber plant just outside of town.

Representatives from UCPCOG attended the Northampton Commissioners meeting on Nov. 2 to recognize the partnership which made the project possible.

“Northampton County and the town of Seaboard succeeded in retaining over 141 high-wage jobs in one of the area’s largest manufacturing facilities, West Fraser,” said Robert Hiett, UCPCOG Executive Director, who presented the award at the meeting.

“The efforts of this strategic partnership will continue to pay off for decades to come and provide opportunities for local and regional economic development,” he continued.

The NADO Impact Awards recognize creative approaches to bringing economic development to the regions they serve, which in turn improves the quality of life for residents as well. Each project is selected for their impact on the community.

Hiett reported that a total of 79 projects received NADO Impact Awards this year, spread out across 40 different organizations in 19 different states.

Before the wastewater connection project, the West Fraser plant, which is located on Highway 186 just outside of Seaboard, had to haul away wastewater to be processed in Roanoke Rapids. Connecting to the town’s nearby wastewater system would lessen that expense.

Representatives from UCPCOG and Northampton County’s Economic Development Director Franklin Williams coordinated together along with other organizations, and they secured a grant of over $568,000 from NC Commerce in 2019 in order to fund the construction of the sewer line and pump station.

Board Chair Charles Tyner expressed his gratitude for everyone involved in the project who “made sure everything was done in a timely manner.”

“We know that Seaboard is a growing community,” he continued.

Tyner also said he was looking forward to working with UCPCOG for other projects in Northampton County in the future.