The Thrasher Group North Carolina’s Gastonia office is located in what historically was known as the Loray Mill, and later Firestone Cotton Mill. Loray Mill — also nicknamed “Million Dollar Mill” — was one of the largest textile facilities in the South. The building continues it’s legacy of making Gaston County an economic hub still to this day.
At its peak in the early 1900s, Loray Mill employed over 750 workers and was a technological and structural powerhouse. Tying in architectural and structural engineering from New England, Loray Mill’s facilities were equipped with firewall partitions and fire doors to the interior to limit the spread of fire, all while maintaining aesthetic Italianate details with arched windows and a pyramidal roof on the exterior of the building. Further, the mill stood apart in the South because of its experimental steam power source and air conditioning systems.
The mill closed its doors in 1993, and while it no longer produces textiles, the mill still presents itself as an impressionable space for the community. With modernized housing and office spaces, including Thrasher NC, the mill provides the Gaston community with a collaborative space for economic advancement while preserving the rich local history.
The Thrasher Group North Carolina strives to continue Loray Mill’s legacy of being at the heart of the community by passionately supporting our municipalities and neighborhoods, providing local jobs, and serving the area’s infrastructure needs.
Site of Albemarle Corporation’s former lithium minein Kings Mountain
Background:
Kings Mountain, North Carolina, is home to a former lithium mine that has sat dormant for nearly four decades. The site sits atop a deposit that could help meet the growing demand for the lithium needed to support the electric vehicle supply chain and clean energy production in the United States.
Demand for lithium is not driven by the EV market alone. The lithium concentrate that can be derived from the proposed mine is needed to power everything from consumer electronics to life-saving medical devices. There are also national security interests that factor into this potential domestic source of lithium, for example, lithium-ion batteries are used by the U.S. Department of Defense for satellites.
Overview:
When Albemarle Corporation, a global leader in the specialty chemicals industry, began to explore resuming mining at the Kings Mountain site, it contacted The Thrasher Group North Carolina to help with surveying the original site footprint. The company was pleasantly surprised to find an experienced local contractor with a working knowledge of the community to meet all of its site surveying needs for pre-feasibility studies.
Today, the Albemarle continues to use Thrasher NC’s land surveying services as it prepares for advancing to the permitting process and other necessary pre-construction steps.
Project Goals:
Original survey of the 500+ acre legacy parcel and additional surveying services as Albemarle expands the footprint via 100+ parcel acquisitions for buffers zones
Identify and highlight improvements, easements, rights-of-way and other important survey information that could impact the feasibility of mining operations
Survey the surrounding buffer parcels that Albemarle would need to acquire in order to meet buffer area requirements
Land Surveying Services Provided:
Photogrammetry surveying services
Geo-spatial surveying services
GNSS/GPS surveying services
Conventional surveying services
Training Processes Completed:
Completed extensive Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) Training
Completed site-specific Albemarle-required training and certification
Vetted via 3-month ISNetworld supplier certification process
Project Approach:
The original land survey of the original footprint was started in 2018. Today, Thrasher NC is in the process of a phased approach with surveying services for additional properties surrounding the original site, anticipating completion of the overall surveying project in 2025.
Project Challenges:
Project Size: The entire Kings Mountain site, which also includes a Lithium Conversion Facility and the companies Global Technology Center offices, encompasses >1500 acres. Finding a partner that could keep pace with Albemarle’s need for the original parcel and buffer area acquisition surveying processes was key.
Legal & Environmental Communication: Thrasher NC’s surveying professionals sit in on weekly coordination meetings with attorneys, land agents, and other key project stakeholders to ensure the team is in the loop and available if additional site questions arise.
Project Outcomes:
The Thrasher Group North Carolina has provided Albemarle with all the necessary site surveying services it has needed for the Kings Mountain Lithium Mine in a timely manner.
Since site surveying was a prerequisite for Albemarle to move the project forward through complex pre-feasibility studies, permitting and pre-construction planning, the Thrasher NC team’s timely delivery also allowed Albemarle to stay on track with its own timelines.
There is a water treatment plant on the current parcel, and if needs arise in the future, The Thrasher Group North Carolina can also provide water resources engineering due to its multidisciplinary offerings.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) plays a pivotal role in helping communities secure resources to develop robust water infrastructures and prepare for sustainable development. This article outlines two key grant programs offered by the NC DEQ that local governments and councils should not hesitate to take advantage of in 2024.
Additional Support In Applying for NC DEQ Water Resources Programs
Communities should look into resources available to help them apply for water supply and resources grants and assistance. Most grants have been assigned grant managers, responsible for supporting communities in submitting competitive grant applications.
Additionally, if a water supply engineering firm has been contracted to support the project, this resource can often directly support or find a resource to support with the grant writing and application process.
In some cases, such as the 9-Element Plan projects references in #2 below re: Water Quality Management Planning Grant, a special resource will be assigned. For these projects a Division of Water Resources support staff member is assigned to answer questions and advise during the process.
1. Water Resources Development Grant Program – State and Local Projects The Water Resources Development Grant Program is a NC DEQ program designed to provide cost-share grants and technical assistance to local governments. The State and Local Projects are those most likely to be applicable across a wider range of communities (vs. programs geared towards Coastal Communities, etc.), so we’ve broken just these State and Local water resources project types, qualifications and application components down below.
Applicable Projects:
Water Management – Stormwater control measures, drainage, flood control, hydrologic restoration, etc.
Water-Based Recreation – Greenways, Trails, Boardwalks; Paddle Access, Fishing Docks/Piers; land acquisition for water-based recreation sites operated by local governments.
Stream Restoration – Restoration or stabilization of degraded streams & shorelines, aquatic barrier removals, etc.
Feasibility / Engineering Studies – Towards implementation of one of the four eligible categories.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – Learn more here.
Eligibility: Units of local government and local political subdivisions. However, projects benefiting underserved communities within a Tier 1 County will be prioritized.
Application Deadlines: Two standard grant application cycles annually for all non-navigation projects. The Spring 2024 application cycle will begin January 2 and ends on June 30, 2024. The Fall application cycle will be announced at a later date and usually runs through the end of the year.
Funding: Applicants are generally encouraged to not exceed a $200,000 funding request, however larger awards may be granted on a case-by-case basis. The suggested limit is $50,000 for engineering/feasibility studies. Administrative costs should not exceed 10% of the total project budget.
Evaluation Criteria: This grant is weighted most heavily on environmental benefits (eg. protect a valuable resource area or enhance environmental resilience) and minimal negative environmental impacts to the project area or adjacent areas. This is followed by projects that will provide the most economic and social benefits to the area. Communities that are underserved or distressed will be prioritized for selection.
Economic Benefits (15%)
Social Benefits (15%)
Environmental Benefits (25%)
Environmental Impacts (20%)
Regional Benefits (10%)
Financial Resources (10%)
Benefits to State-Owned Properties (5%)
Application Components:
Contact Information – Applicant information, Board Chairperson Information, Payment Contact, Engineer / Consultant, etc.
Project Information – Project Types, with Amount Request, Cost, Geographical Details, etc.
Project Narrative – One or two sentence Project Scope summary and brief description of the overall project, a brief description of existing conditions
Treatments – Eg. Aquatic Barrier Removal, Stream Crossings, Land Acquisition, etc.
Budget Detail – Breakdown by Administration, Design, Permitting, Survey, Materials, Construction Oversight, Monitoring, etc.
Scaled Project Location & Conceptual Plan Maps
Signed Forms – Completed & Signed Official Resolution Form, Completed & Signed Conflict of Interest Certification, Signed & Notarized No Overdue Taxes Form (There are also a number of forms for specific projects and circumstances, detailed on the Application)
Reports, Photos, Letters of Support (Optional)
2. Section 205(j) WQ Management Planning Grant
The Section 205(j) Water Quality Management Planning Grant (205(j) references the section of the Clean Water Act where the grants are outlined) is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-provided grant to states for water quality planning. These projects can include everything from assessments to identify the nature and extent of the water quality issues to planning specific implementation plans to address problems.
Encouraged Projects:
EPA 9-Element Watershed Restoration Plans – for a 12-digit or smaller USGS HUC
Watershed Assessments of Pollutant Sources – Source identification studies, including water quality monitoring, field assessments, modeling and GIS analyses to support watershed plan development
Stormwater Infrastructure Mapping – Water quality planning projects with concrete outputs such as (green and/or gray) stormwater infrastructure mapping
Projects that benefit water quality outside of the project area – preferably regionally or statewide
Knowledge sharing projects – Projects to share water quality planning knowledge between Councils of Government and their member governments
Eligibility:
Regional Councils of Government. Councils of Government may partner with any public sector organization to implement projects. A financial match is preferred, but not a requirement.
Application Deadlines:
The request for proposals is released annually in summer and projects are selected in fall. If a community plans to apply in 2024, it could be useful to begin planning to submit the application in advance.
Funding:
North Carolina typically receives around $150,000 for competitive funding of water quality planning projects. However, for the 2023 fiscal year, North Carolina received additional funding for $406,000 in total. There is no cap on pass-through funding requests. Applicants are encouraged to request adequate funds to fully execute proposed projects and also to project larger projects.
Evaluation Criteria:
Priority will be given to projects that consider and address environment justice and climate change resilience. Because water quality issues disproportionately affect urban and rural communities of color, indigenous, linguistically isolated, low-income and / or communities impacted by other stressors, the Division of Water Resources will award additional points during evaluation to projects that will benefit historically underserved populations.
Application Components:
Project Overview & Abstract
Contact & Payment Information, Project Partner Information
Statement of Qualifications for Project Manager or Partners
Budget Summary (Required) and Match Summary (Optional)
Questions? The Thrasher Group NC can help.
If your community is looking into any of these grants, The Thrasher Group NC can help. Our local team of water system engineers is experienced in water distribution system design, treatment plant design, pump station design, treatment process engineering and other specialties included with the scope of many NC DEQ grants and financial assistance programs.
Thrasher has experience in helping communities apply for and receive assistance, coming alongside Water Boards to educate and prepare communities for growth.
Give us a call at (704) 864-2201 or send us a message using our online contact form . We look forward to speaking with you.
The Thrasher Group North Carolina Completes City Water System Replacement Project Under Budget, Funding Forward-Thinking 5-Year Water Infrastructure Plan
Project Overview:
High Shoals, NC Water System Replacement (Phase 1) The City of High Shoals’ public water supply infrastructure included thousands of feet of water line at or nearing end of life. The water system was experiencing frequent breaks and losing water each day. To prevent increased maintenance costs and potential interruptions to service, the city needed a plan to replace the water line.
The City of High Shoals hired The Thrasher Group North Carolina to design and replace the water system. The project was funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Project Goals
Replace the largest water line segment in the City (5,980 linear feet)
Replace faulty meters, 73 meters hooked directly into the line
Reduce water loss (thousands of gallons per day)
Ensure cutover to new water line with minimal disruption to water service
Work with local grant writer to secure Community Development Block Grant
Meet all applicable North Carolina state regulations
Project Approach The Thrasher Group North Carolina took a phased approach to the water line replacement needed in High Shoals. This case study focuses on the first Phase of the project, which involved replacing the largest water line segment in the city (over 3,000 feet of 12 inch water line, around 1,000 feet of 8 inch water line and 1,500 feet of 6 inch water line).
The second phase of the project will involve replacing the remaining water lines in town and The City of High Shoals, NC, is currently in the application process for another grant for Phase 2 of the project.
Project Challenges One of the main challenges of the project was that the new water system replacement needed to be installed without disrupting water services to the residents. The Thrasher Group would need to work closely with the City of High Shoals to develop a phased plan that would minimize downtime to the community’s water services.
Another challenge of the project was that each phase or section of the new water line had to be disinfected and pressure tested before residences could be connected. This process took several weeks to complete and required Engineer inspections and NC State approval.
Project Outcomes The project was a success, completed on time and under budget.
Minimal Downtime – Leveraging jumpers installed at key locations through the project, The Thrasher Group North Carolina successfully replaced the main feeder lines while keeping water service active, with minimal disruption to services for local residents and institutions.
Completed On Time – The Thrasher Group successfully managed the water system replacement construction timeline and key milestones like Engineer inspections and NC State approval. The project was completed on time.
Completed Under Budget – Because the project was completed under budget, the Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) permitted the City of High Shoals to use some of the remaining grant funds to pay for updating the City’s Asset Management Plan. Thrasher was able to update the Asset Management Plan and Capital Improvement Plan that they had originally prepared for the City. This updated inventory of all water and sewer assets by condition and age will position High Shoals to proactively build out its water infrastructure, preventing future water loss and service disruptions.
Client Quote “The Thrasher Group North Carolina did an excellent job on this project. They were very professional and worked closely with us to minimize interruption to water service for our community during the replacement.” – P.J. Rathbone, High Shoals, NC, Mayor
