Mike Ellis – The City of Berryville held a ceremony Thursday to officially announce funding to extend city water into some areas outside the city. Grants will pay 75 percent of the $8.8 million project, including $3.8 million from the United States Department of Agriculture and $2.75 million from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Remainder of the funding comes from a loan of $1.7 million and from approximately $550,000 in cash or in-kind labor from Berryville.
Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney explained that the project would give Berryville another main meter from the Carroll-Boone Water District. Areas to be served have not yet been determined, but the project has a goal of extending service to at least 300 new customers.
Lawrence McCullough, state director of the USDA said, “We know how important this is to this area, with the possibility for rural development.” Ryan Benefield, Deputy Director of the ANRC, echoed those sentiments, and addressed the need for “clean, reliable water.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson had been scheduled to attend, but had to cancel at the last minute. Just before the program started, McKinney left the stage and brought another chair to set at the end of the line of dignitaries. “That’s an empty chair for the governor,” he joked. Despite chiding of the governor, McKinney gave a gracious introduction to Hutchinson’s stand-in, Robert Morey. At the conclusion, McKinney pointed out that he had put on a suit and tie for the governor, although the standard mayoral uniform in Berryville consists of shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. The mayor invited the governor to share the local dress code next time he visits.
In an interview afterwards, McKinney said this project grew out of a study begun five years ago. “The city and the area are going to grow,” he said. “We want to get water to the areas where we expect growth.” He said eight- to ten-inch lines would be used.
Although most of the rural service has not been determined yet, McKinney said replacing the line running from Johnson Spring would be a priority because it serves existing customers. That line also offers opportunities for new customers in the area south of the city.
The city will release information about how prospective customers can express an interest in the new water service. Administrative Assistant Jay Lee explained that several factors would determine where the new water lines go. “We’ll look for a high density of people who want city water and places where we can obtain easements,” he said. “And of course, terrain will be a factor, too.”