By: Thomas Sherrill, The News Reporter

An industrial park and property owners in various parts of Columbus County are one step closer to getting county water after commissioners voted during their March 1 meeting to accept two construction bids totaling $1.67 million.

According to the meeting materials, Ralph Hodge Construction of Wilson was the lowest of nine bidders for both projects.

**Columbus County government is extending water lines to the International Logistics Park on U.S. 74-76 at the Columbus-Brunswick County line. Photo by Diana Matthews**

Hodge’s bid specifically for the International Logistics Park along the Columbus-Brunswick border on U.S. 74-76 was $353,896 while his bid for the six remaining water lines to be installed was $1,323,095.20.

The lowest bid for the six rural water lines was $43,000 under budget while the International Logistics Park water line was 10% over budget but was still acceptable, according to Green Engineering of Wilson, who is the engineer of the project.

The $1.3 million portion of the project includes water line extensions on Frank Norris Road, Seven Creeks Highway, Clarendon-Chadbourn Road, Otto Nance Road, Lynn Hill Road and North Lakes Road.

Columbus County Economic Development D