Grant will help BPW upgrade facility

A U.S. House appropriations subcommittee has approved $500,000 in federal funds to upgrade a Gaffney Board of Public Works water treatment plant, U.S. Rep. John Spratt has announced.

"This assistance will help the BPW increase treatment capacity from 6 million to 9 million gallons per day," Sprat said. "Industrial customers like Nestle, the largest employer in the county, sought the expansion."

The $500,000 will help fund the third phase of a three-phase $5.5 million project. The BPW has already covered the cost of the first $1.9 million.

The board sought $1.2 million, Spratt said. "I requested that amount, but given the tightness of the federal budget, I am pleased to see the committee provide $500,000."

There are more steps in the legislative process, but Spratt is hopeful the funds will win final approval by Congress.