The Red River Wastewater Authority held a groundbreaking ceremony June 15, 2012 to mark the beginning of the $13.1 million Red River Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The project includes the upgrade of the existing Stanton Wastewater Treatment Plant from 0.460 million gallons per day to 1.411 mgd. This new regional facility, serving the Cities of Stanton and Clay City, will eliminate the need for the existing Clay City Wastewater Treatment Plant which will be decommissioned upon project completion. The project also includes a new force main and pump station to direct flow from Clay City to the new facility.
The new Red River Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility is funded by 62.5% grant monies and includes funds from: KIA, CDBG, USDA RD, EDA, ARC and HUD Disaster Recovery. Dignitaries in attendance at the event included Governor Steve Beshear; Congressman Ben Chandler; Representative Richard Henderson; Tony Wilder, Commissioner of the Department for Local Government; Tom Fern, State Director of USDA Rural Development; Mayor Dale Allen, City of Stanton; Mayor James Caudill, City of Clay City and John Brewer, Chair of the RRWA.
The event was also attended by representatives from the various funding agencies, the Bluegrass Area Development District and other community members.