Gearing up Granger
Wilco supports Granger wastewater infrastructure with federal funds
Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the reorganization of American Rescue Plan Act Funding to assist the Granger community with growing infrastructure needs.
“Part of this problem is that Granger has been a sleepy little town for so long,” Granger Mayor Monica Stojanik said. “We have to wake up and wake up fast.”
On December 10, the county allocated $2,042,496 for utility improvements to help serve Granger ISD’s new high school facility, which will open next fall.
When breaking down the numbers, the funding came from leftover buckets across the county:
$922,357.00 from Liberty Hill’s ARPA projects
$917,435.00 from Housing and Urban Development Grants
$202,704.00 from ARPA interest
“I think this is a good way to get [the projects] completed to the new high school, but also best utilizing our funds available,” Commissioner Valerie Covey said. “I like this plan better because it utilizes HUD funding.”
The City of Granger has multiple water and wastewater projects happening in the city. Recently, one of Granger’s waterlines made from clay piping broke.
With the funding, Ms. Stojanik told the court that construction for water and wastewater will be completed by the time the new high school is set to open.
“We are in the process of updating our infrastructure,” she said. “But we are having trouble meeting the fast-growing demands of the school so they can open on time.”
Granger ISD approved a $44 million bond to build a new high school and facility in 2022. The new high school sits on 42 acres of land. Granger ISD Superintendent Stephen Brosch said construction on the new high school is nearly complete.
About seven to eight years ago, Granger ISD had a total of 300 students. Since then, Mr. Brosch said the district has doubled in size, and the growth continues to tick up.
“We are busting at the seams,” Mr. Brosch said. “The new facility was a must.”
Mr. Brosch said the district had struggled getting proper water and wastewater to meet fire code.
County Judge Bill Gravell was in favor of the funding transfer but said the county is not there to help every city and school district that is in crisis. He said other school districts have landed on the county to assist with road construction.
“Granger is growing up, and really doing quite a good job, under your leadership, Mayor,” he said. “But with big expenses like this, you need to better plan for those.”
At the end of the discussion, commissioners unanimously passed the redistribution of ARAP funds, 4-0. The high school is scheduled to open in August for the 2025-2026 school year.