The Premier Boulevard Extension remains a target for growth in Halifax County, Economic Development Director Cathy Scott told commissioners Monday, but discussions continue regarding extending sewer service to the area.
Scott’s comments were in response to a question from Commissioner Thomas Barrett.
“I don’t think there’s a single project in Halifax County ready to be done that will immediately add that kind of tax base to this county,” Barrett said.
The Premier Boulevard Extension opened in June 2022 and carries traffic to Highway 125.
Scott said there have been meetings with the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District and others about the sewer extension project. “I believe there’s some work that’s being done between the sanitary district and Halifax County Public Utilities because there’s ownership of a sector of that infrastructure that needs to be determined if the sanitary district’s going to buy it or if it’s going to be retained by Halifax County.”
She said the economic development commission has “been at the table ready to provide assistance to help identify funding to make that infrastructure grow in that area.”
She told Barrett, “I agree with you that’s an area where there’s immediate growth opportunity. It’s not like there isn’t infrastructure available, but it’s not as robust as it could be to make that area grow.”
RRSD CEO Thomas Wrenn said today that in 2024, the district partnered with the city of Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County to complete a preliminary engineering report for the Premier Boulevard Water and Sewer Extension Project. The project is estimated to cost approximately $6.3 million to complete. “While this project remains a priority, progress has been delayed primarily due to lack of sufficient funding support,” he said. “Also, some of the project area is outside of the corporate limits of the district which limits our ability in those areas.”
He said, however, “We remain committed to helping move this entire project forward by continuing to pursue available funding opportunities and partnerships necessary to complete this important infrastructure investment.”
