Hall County has been awarded $13 million for sewage system infrastructure improvements. The two Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans, awarded by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, will help finance construction of sewer infrastructure to provide wastewater services to the Mulberry Creek and Calvary Church Road areas.

The $13 million "is what we anticipate spending in the first 12 months of the contract for the new (trunk) line," Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver said.

The line comes down Winder Highway from Gainesville’s Flat Creek treatment plant. The total project will cost about $30 million.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund is a federally funded loan program that can provide money for a wide variety of water quality projects.

"The Clean Water State Revolving Fund assists local governments with their efforts to improve water quality," authority Executive Director Chris Clark said in a prepared statement. "In addition to the public’s health and safety, these projects are critical to a community’s ability to prosper economically."

The loans are part of Gov. Sonny Perdue’s vision for sustainable economic development.

"Infrastructure improvements increase the quality of life for Georgia citizens, and they help cities and counties create jobs and promote economic development," Perdue said in a statement. "I’m pleased this investment is being made in sewer infrastructure."

The authority helps communities prepare for economic growth and development by providing low interest loans.

Oliver said the county has been working with Gainesville to secure the loans for the past 12 to 18 months.

Hall County will pay 3 percent interest on the two loans.