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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Chilton County Industrial Development Authority has received responses to its request for proposals for an engineer for potential sewer projects near Interstate 65, Exit 200 and Exit 212.

Whitney Barlow, executive director for the Industrial Development Authority, said the executive committee will review the proposals against a set list of requirements and bring a recommendation back to the full board for a vote. This decision is expected to be made in a meeting with the full board before the end of July.

This request for proposals is part of the process for the American Rescue Plan grant that the IDA plans to apply for.

Barlow said infrastructure expansion is a major focus of the funding.

Specifically, the project would be for the Alabama Farm Center and future commercial development in the area at Exit 212. At Exit 200, the system would provide infrastructure for potential future economic development, including a piece of property that the Chilton County Commission has a six-month option on.

Barlow said while there are water lines to potential sites for development around Exit 200, there is not a sewer system.

“Putting in infrastructure directly correlates to creating more jobs,” Barlow said. “Exit 200, because of the (existing) Central Alabama Electric Coop Industrial Park, is already set up for our industrial growth, it is just lacking some infrastructure, so we are trying to use this opportunity that has been put in front of us by the federal government.”

Sites that already have existing infrastructure are more marketable to companies and industry.