County looking to expand infrastructure

William Johnson, Randolph County assistant manager, updated the the Asheboro City Council on Thursday of the county’s plans to prepare for future economic growth by expanding infrastructure.

The county recently entered into an agreement with the City of Asheboro to run water lines from the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority to the city’s water lines. 

Johnson said there will be 18,200 feet of water lines from the area of US 311 to Interstate 73 near Pineview Road to connect with city water lines. That will provide 1.25 million gallons per day (mgd) of treated water that the city can send to the eastern part of the county. Asheboro has been appropriated $55 million from the state to send water to the Wolfspeed microchip plant just over the Chatham County line.

In addition to Wolfspeed, Johnson said the county is also looking to run water and wastewater lines not only along US 64 but also up NC 22 and NC 49 to enable expected growth on those transportation corridors, due to the Toyota battery plant being built in Liberty that will add 5,000 jobs. The county has received $85 million from the state for infrastructure.

Johnson said the county is in talks with municipalities to figure out water and sewer districts in the eastern part of the county. That would include intergovernmental agreements, formation of service districts and completing rate studies.

Asheboro City Manager John Ogburn said the state is now looking at the regionalization of wastewater treatment plants since such facilities are so expensive.

As for a timeline for the projects, he said, "We're close. We're a long way from being finished, but I guess we're ready to finish the end of the beginning."

Asheboro Mayor David Smith said, "This is easily the most complicated thing that's been done in Randolph County."