Federal EDA Awards Grant For Water Storage In Bay Minette

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5-million grant to North Baldwin Utilities (NBU) of Bay Minette for water infrastructure upgrades to support the construction of the Novelis aluminum manufacturing plant. The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance noted that the grant will enable a 2.5-billion-gal. elevated water storage tank to be placed in Bay Minette to serve the site and northern Baldwin County. The total construction process for the water storage tank will cost more than $6.4 million. The remaining $3.9 million is being contributed in local funding. “Part of the original commitment to Novelis was providing a 2-million-gallon water tank for their water processes and fire protection, but the community was also in need of more water storage, especially for dry times like we have experienced this summer,” says Jason Padgett, NBU CEO. “The water tank will be placed on property adjacent to the Novelis site that North Baldwin Utilities owns.” The Novelis aluminum plant is an investment of approximately $3 billion that is expected to create 1,000 direct jobs.