WINTON – Hertford County’s plans to conduct an infrastructure study have received a big boost financially.

At their regularly scheduled meeting here Monday morning, the Board of Commissioners approved a contract between the county and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) in the amount of $80,000.

According to Hertford County Manager Loria Williams, the grant money must be used for either economic development or for recreational purposes. She added this grant represents dollars requested earlier this year by (District 3) State Senator Erica Smith (D-Northampton).

“We currently have a feasibility study for water and wastewater infrastructure needs that we have received partial funding through the USDA (US Dept. of Agriculture),” Williams stated. “This infrastructure study encompasses not only the county, our unincorporated areas, but the incorporated areas as well. That way we can look at all our water and wastewater needs and establish a capital needs plan from there. That will include our smaller towns that have no financial means to do that.”

Williams added that community forum meetings are being held throughout the county to address the infrastructure needs.

“That’s where we are having conversations in and around this infrastructure study,” she said. “We’re hopeful this study will give us a good snapshot of potential connections and inter-connections (with existing water and wastewater infrastructure).”

Additionally, the study, Williams said, will help direct county officials as to where site future economic and industrial prospects.

“We already had some money from USDA to conduct this story; now with this DNCR grant it will allow us to broaden this scope of work and help us identity some shovel-ready projects,” Williams noted.

Adding in the infrastructure study funds from USDA plus the DNCR grant, Williams said the county will have $110,000 at its disposal.

“That brings us to the point where we will not have to use taxpayer money to conduct this study; it’s all grant-funded,” Williams stressed.

The study is scheduled to be completed by August of this year.

Upon the approval of a motion from the board to accept the DNCR grant, Commissioner John Horton asked Williams to send a letter of thanks to Senator Smith for her work in directing these state funds to Hertford County.