Three grants received by the town of Mina for its proposed sewer district project are expected to cover 100% of construction costs.

Mina Town Supervisor Rebecca Brumagin said because of the grants, which total $36 million, no part of the construction will be borne by the taxpayers.

“The Town Board is very pleased that we received more than 100% of the funding for the project,” she said. “It gives us a little breathing room if there are cost overruns.”

Mina received a $13,050,000 grant from the Federal Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law and a $13,050,000 from the New York Water Infrastructure Improvement Program (WIIA).

On Jan. 28, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the awarding of state grants to communities in Chautauqua County. The biggest of these, a $10 million Water Quality Infrastructure Project grant was awarded to Mina for a wastewater treatment facility and sanitary sewer collection system.

In October 2024, residents of Mina voted to create a sewer district and wastewater treatment plant. For several years the town has experienced high levels of phosphorus going into Findley Lake .

The Mina Town Board has approved the purchase of three parcels located 3093 Route 426 to be used for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant. This property was the site of Findley Lake Landscape Supply and was identified by the sewer district engineering firm, Square Engineering, as a preferred location for the facility.

“I am very much pleased with how its moving along,” Brumagin said. “Having the construction costs covered by these grants and being able to purchase that property was a great relief.” Brumagin said the town anticipates closing on the property by March 1.

The engineers have started the design work, including a study of the topography, Brumagin said.

“We are very pleased and very optimistic, now that all of the costs will be covered,” she said.

Brumagin said it will take nearly a year to complete the design work.

“They will recommend to the town board, either utilizing the existing structure or undertaking new construction,” she said. “They will be reaching out to residents who are in the district and discussing their special needs.”