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Following an update to the Rotary Club on Tuesday morning, Congressman Sanford Bishop traveled over to the City of Bainbridge’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, where he presented Mayor Edward Reynolds and the City Council with a check for $1 million to upgrade the infrastructure.

Reynolds began by thanking Bishop for all that he has done in Southwest Georgia, but particularly in Bainbridge.

“He’s done so much for us in his leadership and in his time there, and I just really can’t say enough about his public service to our community and today bringing us money for the big project ahead of us,” Reynolds said.

The project Reynolds was referring to is the expansion of the sewage treatment facility.

The funds provided will help with the infrastructure as the city grows in the residential area, along with the industrial sector.

Bishop thanked Reynolds for his kind words and expressed his happiness to be in Bainbridge and to see the ongoing work being done.

“As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have been working hard for you and hard for Middle and Southwest Georgia, Decatur County and Bainbridge,” Bishop said. “Today is the culmination of over a year’s worth of hard work with the funding bill for fiscal year 2022.”

The bill first passed the House of Representatives, before being moved to the Senate. It was then conferenced between the House and Senate, where it was eventually passed with a conference report.

“I’m happy to bring today $1 million from Congress that will be used for crucial water and sewer system upgrades,” Bishop said. “I want to congratulate all of you for all of your hard work and your continued growth.”

Bishop went on to explain that when people think of the future, they often frame it in the present, saying they want to lay a better foundation for the future, and that is exactly what Bainbridge was doing.

“That is why I was such an ardent supporter of this project,” Bishop said. “Bainbridge needs an up to date, as well as an increased capacity for its water and sewage plant.”

Bishop noted that projects such as these can be costly, especially on the front end, and in many rural communities it can be far too costly to invest in the future. Luckily, Bainbridge can afford to invest in the future through the help of these congressional funds.

“I’m happy that as your representative in the United States Congress, I was able to ensure, through my years of seniority and bipartisan relationships, that this vital project was in the Appropriations Bill and signed off by President Biden,” Bishop said.

Bishop then congratulated the City on their growth, saying he hopes to return soon and see Bainbridge continue to blossom.