INDUSTRIAL PARK WORK NEARING COMPLETION

SCOTT CITY -- Growth in Scott City's industrial park will no longer be stalled because of a lack of access to city water.

The construction of nearly 19,000 feet of water lines leading to the area will be completed in about three weeks, said the city's Public Works Director Harold Uelsmann.

"This is of major importance" to the industrial site, Uelsmann said. "Water and sewer lines, I feel, are very crucial to the growth of this industrial park."

The lack of city water to the park was a concern in late June, when a lack of water caused firefighters to be delayed in their efforts to fight a chemical fire at the Industrial Fuels and Resources plant, one of the business located in the industrial park.

They were forced to wait for nearby fire departments to transport water in tankers for use in fighting the fire. The blaze, discovered by employees, destroyed the chemical processing facilities in two buildings in the plant.

Industrial Fuels recycles hazardous chemical waste solvents, such as paint and ink, and converts them into fuels for use in cement kilns.

Uelsmann said once the lines are completed, all the businesses in the area will be hooked up to city water.

"We've had a lot of comments from business owners saying they were glad to the see the project being completed," he said.

"There is a good possibility that this will entice other businesses to the industrial park as well."

City officials have worked toward the construction of water lines to the area since the park was annexed into the city in the mid-1980s. But funding the construction of water and sewer lines proved to be an obstacle.

After years of delays and waiting on government grants, the city issued $360,000 in bonds in April to pay for a portion of the project.

A $203,500 grant from the Department of Natural Resources was also obtained by the city to help fund the project, but a $290,000 grant from the Department of Economic Development was denied.

To accept the DNR grant, the city had to come up with $166,500 in marching funds. Business located at the industrial park collectively contributed $120,000, which was used for collateral for the bond issue.

Construction on sewer lines to the area began in June, and construction of water lines began Aug. 21, Uelsmann said. After construction of the water lines is complete, fire hydrants will be installed, he added.

Uelsmann said workers have had few delays in construction work. He said crews have been working up to 12-hour days to complete the work.