With the new year comes high aspirations and personal goals, and a fresh start for many. From leading a healthier life to accomplishing financial ambitions, the impending New Year is a convenient time to examine and fulfill goals.
According to Humboldt County Manager, Dave Mendiola, Humboldt County has some very important goals for 2023.
Many of the County’s goals were set months or years prior to 2023, but are large scale and require a lot of moving parts to work together. Greasing the complex wheel of government is no easy feat.
According to Mendiola, the first goal is to close on the acquisition of Gold Country Water (GCW), hopefully by March 2023 if all goes as planned.
Humboldt County has been working steadily to address rising nitrate concentration within the Grass Valley area and acquiring GCW in order to consolidate it with the Star City Water System (both systems supply water to the majority of Grass Valley residents). Mendiola said drilling a new well is the first step in finding a viable solution to the “health issues that high nitrates create.”
After the County acquires GCW, Mendiola explained that they must secure a funding source for a wastewater collection and treatment facility in Grass Valley, which will be the long term solution to the nitrate levels.
Humboldt County will utilize many different sources of funding from State and Federal entities, and securing all of the necessary funding will not be easy, as it is a multi-million-dollar project, but will hopefully be done by June 2023, according to Mendiola.
“This project will benefit the Grass Valley residents as well as provide us the facility that we can expand for future economic development issues related to new housing and new businesses coming onto the Airport Industrial Park, meaning it could benefit all residents,” said Mendiola in an email.
Completion of other projects related to the need for economic growth are also on Humboldt County’s list of goals as well. Mendiola said that getting final approval of the Lithium Nevada and West Coast Salmon projects will “kick preparations for infrastructure into high gear”, generating jobs and opportunities for residents.
According to Mendiola, these projects will involve work with the Nevada Department of Transportation on US Highway 95 and on State Route 93 (to Kings River) and training for the workforce.
“These projects, if cleared, will provide greater job opportunities for the community in Winnemucca, Orovada and McDermitt areas, including tribal residents,” explained Mendiola.