Polk County commissioners are now in discussions with CooperRiis Healing Farm in Mill Spring about running a water line to the facility.
Commissioners met Monday, Feb. 6 and discussed the possibility with CooperRiis Managing Director Jeff Byrd.
Byrd said CooperRiis is about to begin construction on three houses and was looking at building wells. Since public water is not far away, Byrd said he suggested asking the county.
Byrd also told commissioners CooperRiis is discussing the possibility of building additional facilities on property across Hwy. 108 from the existing buildings.
Engineer Dave Odom said based on unit prices the county could get CooperRiis water for approximately $66,000. The county could do a change order on its water line to Columbus and add the additional line to CooperRiis.
Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson suggested that the county pay for the extension since the line would be a main trunk line down Hwy. 108 in Mill Spring. Other commissioners, such as Tom Pack, said other water customers have had to share costs for main lines.
The county indicated that it would need an answer from CooperRiis by the end of April/first of March if it is interested. Byrd said estimates from engineers should be back by then.
Whitson said he thinks this would be some of the best funding the county could spend on economic development, considering CooperRiis’ estimated 75 employees and plans for expansion.
“Plus, you are going to get a large water customer at the end of your water line,” Whitson said.
Whitson agreed to return next month with revenue numbers for commissioners to consider.