On October 28, 2003 residents of the beautiful rural community of Red Boiling Springs woke up to a crisp autumn day and a check for a million dollars. Residents of the equally bucolic city of Lafayette and Macon County also woke up enriched, the mutual beneficiaries of the million dollar federal grant. Presenting the check to Mayors Randel Gregory and Jimmy Driver, and others, Economic Development Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Wienecke said, "This is part of President Bush' program to ensure that no geographic or demographic sector of the United States gets left behind when it comes to sharing the American dream."

The presentation of the check was held at the new Nestle Waters plant facilities in Red Boiling Springs. It was attended by media, city, county and state officials who were delighted to be part of the partnership program that began with Nestle Water's application for commerce in the state of Tennessee and ended with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administrations giving a million dollars to Macon County and the cities of Red Boiling Springs and Lafayette. State Senator Mae Beavers spoke to the gathering, saying, "Thank you EDA. Thank you Macon County. Thank you Red Boiling Springs, and thank you Nestle. This is a great day for Macon County."

The million dollar grant will be administered by the Upper Cumberland Development District. The money will be used to help local governments upgrade their water and waste water systems to accommodate Nestle Waters bottling facility, opening in Red Boiling Springs in 2004. It also will make it possible for Nestle Waters, RBS to fill another 200 job openings. "This is an example of how the federal government helps communities go the last mile," EDA Deputy Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Wienecke said.

"Industry and companies that bring good paying jobs to an area depend on this type of infrastructure," Congressman Bart Gordon, said. "Good roads, ample water and quality schools are a few of the basic necessities a community must have to create a desirable job market." Water lines will be installed along state Highway 52 to connect the city of Lafayette's water supply with the city of Red Boiling Springs' water supply. New sewer lines also will be installed, along with related sewer improvements.

Local officials said the water and sewer project is being aided by the Nestle Corporation, which is in the process of building a 380,000 square foot water bottling facility in Red Boiling Springs. Red Boiling Springs Mayor Randel Gregory said the Nestle Corporation has been a "great partner" in this project and to the community. "It's going to be a beautiful plant and a great help to us."

"Local state and federal officials all must work together with the general public to manage and strengthen quality growth in our communities. This infrastructure - improvement project is a great example of this, as is the commitment that Nestle has made to Macon County," Congressman Gordon added.