Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed said a recent business trip to Washington, D.C. was beneficial for city leaders.

In mid-March, a delegation from the city traveled to the nation’s capital to participate in the National League of Cities Conference and meet face to face with their representatives at the national level.

“The trip was very positive,” Reed said. “The city’s delegation learned a lot about the upcoming fiscal year Congress is going to fund.”

The delegation met with Congressman Spencer Bachus and was aided by local field representative Betty Bennett. They also met with Sen. Jeff Sessions and the staff of Sen. Richard Shelby to express the needs of the city.

One of those needs is funding for an additional wastewater treatment plant in the east section of town, for which a general site has been chosen.

“The work we’ve done at the old wastewater treatment plant is only good for the next five years,” Reed said.

“The old system has taken all the upgrades it can take.”

The city recently opened an extension to its plant that doubles the capacity by another 150,000 gallons per day.

Another issue that city leaders addressed in Washington was how the city can attract more businesses to the area.

The city is also seeking a COPS grant to help fund new law enforcement personnel.

Reed thanked the representatives for taking time to meet with them.