VARNELL, Ga. - Varnell leaders and business owners say adding a short sewer line onto Cleveland Highway from Highway 2 would foster economic development in northern Whitfield County.
Ted Young, who owns Knob North Korner Market, said such a line would reach his 5-acre property. He said he dreams of expanding his business by adding a car wash and deli, but that can't happen without sewer.
"There's all kinds of possibilities if I had sewer here," he said.
City Manager Mark Gibson said the line would cost about $150,000.
Whitfield County is building a new high school on Crow Road off Highway 2 and Dalton Utilities is extending sewer to that property.
Hopes are that a connecting sewer line could be installed to run north about a mile on Cleveland Highway.
Mr. Young said the line would raise property values and open up the area for development, which would increase the county tax base.
"If all the traffic is going to be here and all the growth is going to be here, we need the sewer to be extended," said Mr. Young.
Greg Sutton of Sutton Family Pharmacy is part-owner of Varnell Commons. He's hoping the 10-acre property will continue to develop. He said he's talked to representatives of restaurants interested in the area, but they won't come without sewer.
Mayor Dan Peeples said in an e-mail that city leaders are looking at ways to pay for the extension. Options include getting money from private landowners or the county, applying for state grants and setting up a tax district so businesses that build there help pay the cost through a special tax.
The county paid $1 million last year to extend sewer to Tunnel Hill. Commissioner Randy Waskul said that was aimed at opening up development at exit 341 on Interstate 75.
The county soon will discuss whether to help pay for the Varnell sewer line, but Mr. Waskul said he'd like the city to contribute, too.
"I think it's a good idea," said Mr. Waskul. "The challenge is always the money. Obviously, we want to see jobs and business come to our area (and that) means working together."