Columbia, TN (October 12, 2026) – The City of Columbia has been awarded an additional $1 million in grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) through the State Water Infrastructure Grants (SWIG) Program to support improvements to the Bear Creek Pike Pump Station. The funding was awarded through a competitive statewide grant process, underscoring the strength of Columbia’s application and the importance of the Bear Creek Pike Pump Station Project to the community’s long-term infrastructure needs.
The City was originally awarded $4.8 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding through the State of Tennessee for wastewater infrastructure improvements. The additional $1 million competitive SWIG grant award brings the total state funding under the grant contract to $5.8 million, providing additional resources for critical wastewater infrastructure improvements in Columbia.
“Investing in infrastructure is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a City,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “This additional grant award represents another important investment in Columbia’s future and helps ensure we are maintaining the infrastructure necessary to serve our community for years to come.”
The additional $1 million will be directed toward the Bear Creek Pike Pump Station Project. This major infrastructure investment serves portions of downtown Columbia, the Bear Creek corridor, and the interstate area.
“The new Bear Creek Pike Pump Station advances a strategic plan objective established by the City Council in 2022 to protect the long-term integrity and reliability of the City’s sanitary sewer system,” said Assistant City Manager/CFO Thad Jablonski. “From the outset, the City successfully pursued the maximum available grant funding to reduce the financial burden on our ratepayers.”
Over the years, the Bear Creek Pike Pump Station had experienced repeated flooding, creating reliability and maintenance concerns. The City is addressing this by relocating the pump station outside the flood zone and modernizing its equipment.
The improvements will enhance service dependability, increase energy efficiency, and strengthen the overall performance and resiliency of Columbia’s wastewater system. It helps ensure the infrastructure can reliably serve residents and businesses in the community for years to come.
“We appreciate the State of Tennessee for recognizing the importance of this project and providing an additional $1 million grant to help our wastewater system,” said City Manager Tony Massey.
ABOUT COLUMBIA, TN
The City of Columbia is the county seat of Maury County, located 45 miles south of Nashville, Tennessee. Columbia is experiencing a renaissance of new industry, residential development, a bustling historic downtown square, and emerging arts district while attracting companies, residents, and visitors looking for affordability, quality of life, and a Main Street experience, all in a convenient location. Columbia is a Southern Living ‘Top 10 Best Small Town’ and the ancestral home of the 11th U.S. President James K. Polk.
