The Grayson County Water District recently announced plans for the construction of a new, more secure administrative facility after receiving federal funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

USDA Rural Development State Director Tom Fern announced in late January that the Water District will receive $950,000 in federal funding (consisting of a $712,000 loan and a$238,000 grant) to finance the project.

The repayment terms for the loan portion of the funding will consist of payments made over a period of forty years at an interest rate of 2.50 percent.

Water Board District Manager Kevin Shaw said the project is still in its preliminary planning stages.

A precise location has not been assigned for the new building although it is planned to be“in closer proximity to the district workshop and adjacent to other existing facilities,” according to a USDA press release.

Designs for the building and dates for construction also have yet to be determined. However, Shaw said the project has been in the works for some time now.

The Water District applied for federal funding about two years ago after noticing a number of inefficient and out-of-date features in the current building, which was built in the 1950’s, Shaw said.

Shaw said the Water District hopes the new 4,300 sq. ft. facility will offer better drive-thru and handicap accessibility and more privacy for individuals seeking consultation with the Water District. The new facility will also provide a more secure environment for public records, he said.