USDA Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton on Oct. 23 highlighted nearly $11 million in Sussex County wastewater system projects that are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) and the impact the funding is having on local construction jobs.

“The Recovery Act is about helping companies like Bunting and Murray.  Helping to keep people in jobs and getting our economy growing again,” said Tarburton. 

“There are 17 full-time construction jobs on the Johnson’s Corner wastewater system project.  In addition to stimulating our economy, the funding is also protecting our environment and providing much-needed infrastructure improvements for the residents for years to come.”

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tarburton, and state and local officials gathered at a farm near Selbyville where construction material was stockpiled.  “This is what we had in mind when the Recovery Act was signed into law,” said Senator Carper.  “Helping business owners like Jay Murray, creating jobs and getting our men and women working again, building an economy that will remain strong while at the same time making improvements to our aging infrastructure.”

Jay C. Murray, President of Bunting and Murray Construction said, “Work at Johnson’s Corner started in April; since that time we have had 17 men on the site 40-hours a week in addition to subcontractors in the paving, trucking and electrical fields.  I am confident that without this work, approximately 20 men would have been unemployed.”

The $10.4 million construction project will ultimately eliminate on-site septic tanks that are failing.  Poor soil conditions, in the Johnson’s Corner area, and a high groundwater table does not allow for the replacement of septic tanks. The project is being funded by the State - $5.1 million, USDA Rural Development - $3.6 million, private contribution - $1.2 million, and the County - $500,670.