South Dearborn Regional Sewer District Announces Treatment Plant Modernization & Expansion

Utility infrastructure investment project will support ongoing growth of Lawrenceburg, Greendale, Aurora and Dearborn County.

South Dearborn Regional Sewer District. Image capture: Aug 2021 © 2022 Google.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Wastewater needs of the growing river cities area of Dearborn County will be satisfied for years to come thanks in part to the investment of an Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant.

The $2.48 million READI grant to the South Dearborn Regional Sewer District (SDRSD) was awarded by SEI READI, Inc. and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) in August. Along with a $23.5 million Indiana Finance Authority State Revolving Fund low-interest loan, the READI grant will allow SDRSD to complete the roughly $26 million treatment plant modernization project. This project will be the largest capital improvement project at the SDRSD plant since 2007.

Greendale Mayor Alan Weiss said, “We are grateful to the SEI READI Board of Directors and the IEDC for awarding the SDRSD this grant. The READI grant will be a great help in funding this project. I want to thank all those that assisted in the application process. We had a great team that
worked together to make this happen.”

Aurora Mayor Mark Drury noted, “With the anticipated growth of new homes in the City of Aurora and surrounding areas, it is very fortunate for the regional sewer plant to have received the funding from READI. These upgrades to the regional plant should serve not only Aurora but the
surrounding region for years to come. This will allow for much needed additional new housing throughout the region. In addition, these upgrades will allow for increased potential industrial development as well.”

Lawrenceburg Mayor Kelly Mollaun added, “Following critical facility infrastructure improvements identified at the SDRSD, I am thrilled that the three cities of Lawrenceburg, Greendale and Aurora have all agreed to move forward in unison as owners of the SDRSD to pursue a project of this magnitude. The SDRSD serves the region’s largest population base in Dearborn County and we are grateful for the IEDC and READI grant award. The READI funds will help ensure the SDRSD may continue to provide the best utility service possible to benefit ourcitizens, local businesses, and industries within Southeast Indiana for decades.”

Indiana launched the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a bold, transformational initiative that will dedicate $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments that will make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth. The full,
statewide READI program is expected to result in a projected $9.8 billion in total investment including local public, private and philanthropic match funding, which will propel investment in Indiana’s quality of place, quality of life and quality of opportunity. READI funding allocations
were announced in December.

SEI READI, Inc. was awarded $15 million to invest in regionally catalytic economic and community development projects throughout Southeast Indiana counties of Dearborn, Franklin, Ripley, Ohio, Switzerland and Union. More information about SEI READI is available at www.southeastindiana.org.