Springfield has been awarded a $5.4 million loan by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority for the planned sprayfield and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.

GEFA helps communities prepare for economic growth and development by providing low interest loans and grants. The city will pay 4.1 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total project costs is $5,416,740 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

Mayor Barton Alderman said he was happy about the approval of the loan.

“We can move forward now,” he said.

He said the upgrades and sprayfield will increase the city’s sewer capacity, and the city will be able to move out of the industrial park on Highway 21 when the new spray field is complete.

“Industrial property is very valuable in the county right now,” he said. “The Industrial Development Authority has worked well with us. Now we can free up the space and give it back.”

The city will be upgrading the wastewater treatment plant to reuse standards to use on the new spray
field, which is located just north of the city.

“It opens up so many doors for us,” Alderman said.

The Georgia Fund is a state funded program administered by GEFA for water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure projects. The program has maximum flexibility and accessibility, and offers fast loan and grant approvals. The Georgia Fund provides loans and grants to local governments for projects such as water and sewer lines.