By Bonnie Culverhouse
It may be a while before City of Minden officials see the fruits of their recent trip to Washington DC, but seeds were planted with federal departments that should help with much-needed projects to see Minden grow.
One way to grow is with a good water system.
Mayor Nick Cox and city councilmen Andy Pendergrass, Carleton Myles and Michael Roy took a flight to the nation’s capital to discuss funding for Phases 2 and 3 of a planned water project.
Phase 2: Miller Quarters Water Trunk Replacement Project
The city is seeking nearly $2.5 million in federal, state and local funding to replace a 100-year old 10” water main, which connects downtown Minden’s elevated water tank to the city’s water treatment plant.
This water main is looped from two different directions to provide resiliency to the city’s distribution network but is unable to continue to meet the needs of Minden’s 11,248 residents, 4,817 households and nearly 400 businesses. The Miller Quarters Water Trunk Replacement Project stretches from the water treatment plant to downtown or approximately 5,600 feet.
Project timeline is 16 months
Funding & Support Needed
Estimated Funding Needed: $2,456,000
Construction: $1,992,100
Engineering: $166,000
Topographic Surveying: $7,500
Boundary Surveying (if required): $9,500
Right-of-Way Acquisition (if required): $15,000
Project Representation: $66,500
Contingencies: $199,400
Potential Funding Opportunities
• U.S. Economic Development Administration
Public Works Program
• FY 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending
Phase 3: Main Street Water Trunk Replacement Project
For this phase – at a much laster date – The City of Minden is seeking more than $1.96 million in federal, state and local funding to replace a century-old 10” water main, which connects downtown Minden’s elevated water tank to the city’s water treatment plant.
This water main is looped from two different directions to provide resiliency to the city’s distribution network. The Main Street Water Replacement Project stretches from Miller Street to downtown or approximately 1,500 feet.
“This is the nightmare phase that no one has ever wanted to tackle,” Cox said. “But we are having water issues in that area. We are going to have to bite the bullet and do it. That line is getting brittle and keeps breaking.”
Project timeline is 18 months
Funding & Support Needed
Estimated Funding Needed: $1,961,000
Construction: $1,581,100
Engineering: $134,000
Topographic Surveying: $7,000
Boundary Surveying (if required): $9,000
Right-of-Way Acquisition (if required): $15,000
Project Representation: $56,500
Contingencies: $158,400
Potential Funding Opportunities
• Delta Regional Authority Community
Infrastructure Fund
• FY 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending
Minden’s contingency, along with lobbyist Alex Holland requested aid for several projects that could actually be funded by more than one department in a layering move referred to as “Capital Stacking.”
Cox said with Holland’s help, the group made presentations to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development and Delta Regional Authority.
Already funded and in the works is Phase 1, replacing the 100-year-old Shreveport Road water main.
In October 2024, City Hall received word of a $509,000 grant to fund most of the Shreveport Road water main.
The city originally budgeted $650,000 of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to replace the Shreveport Road water main from the railroad tracks to the water tower.
States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) is a competitive grant program through Delta Regional Authority provides direct investments for basic public infrastructure.
With this grant, only a portion of the budgeted ARPA money will be needed, which means the rest can be used for other projects.
City of Minden Public Works Director Tyler Wallace said bids for the Shreveport Road project will be opened at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 26.
“It’s possible the council will be able to vote to award the project at the March meeting,” he said.