Guilford County allocates federal money for municipal water, other projects

Several municipal projects in Guilford County will get a boost from federal COVID-19 relief money. The county's board of commissioners recently approved releasing a third round of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The $41 million pot of money is being allocated to six municipalities in Guilford County: Greensboro, Stokesdale, Oak Ridge, Pleasant Garden, Gibsonville, and Summerfield.

Many of those communities are using the funds to improve public water infrastructure. Southwest Guilford County will also receive money for water system upgrades that will help support fire protection services.

Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker says these water projects come at an important time with new economic developments in the area. This includes the Toyota plant at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite and projects at PTI Airport.

“We are really in the feasibility and conceptual stage of it, and you know that really has long-term implications for how we deal with what we know is inevitable growth,” says Whitaker.

This round of federal funding will also bring more recreation into the area. 

There's the next phase of the Windsor Chavis Nocho Community Complex in Greensboro and a brand new regional park in Summerfield. Whitaker says the 120-acre site is called Bandera Farms Park. Plans call for equestrian and hiking trails, and a large playground.

“We will have designated areas just for horse trailers separate from general public parking for the greenway and the adventure playscape and we see it as a purpose-built kind of park that really will be a destination for some," says Whitaker.

Guilford County has received $104 million under the federal American Rescue Plan Act. So far, it's allocated nearly $59 million.

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