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By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
N.C. Senator Kevin Corbin and House Rep. Karl Gillespie presented the Town of Highlands with two $5M checks on Monday to fund a water improvement project and the dredging of Mirror Lake.
Pictured at the top of the article from left are Sen. Kevin Corbin, Commissioner Jeff Weller, Town Manager Josh Ward, Mayor Pat Taylor, Commissioner Amy Patterson, and Rep Karl Gillespie.
“Representative Gillespie and Senator Corbin worked together to get the funds for these critical infrastructure projects for Highlands,” said Mayor Pat Taylor. “This support will have a long-lasting impact for our community. They have helped fund many similar projects in Western Carolina.”
Both Gillespie and Corbin echoed Taylor’s sentiment and said cooperation is vital to move things forward.
“Yesterday (12/18) was a good day for the citizens of Highlands, this would not have happened had it not been for everyone (Senate, House, Town) working together to identify projects and find vital funding for funding for these two projects,” said Gillespie.
Taylor said Mirror Lake is a critical part of the water sheds and has needed to be dredged and restored for three decades. The water plant pre-clarifier tank is over 60 years old and is long overdue to be replaced.
“Both projects will get underway in 2024 as the Town follows state requirements,” said Taylor. “There will be many months of state mandated planning and design before construction and operations of these projects begin.”
Pictured at the top of the article is N.C. Senator Kevin Corbin and House Rep. Karl Gillespie presented the Town of Highlands with two $5M checks on Monday to fund a water improvement project and the dredging of Mirror Lake. Pictured from left are Sen. Kevin Corbin, Commissioner Jeff Weller, Town Manager Josh Ward, Mayor Pat Taylor, Commissioner Amy Patterson, and Rep Karl Gillespie.