In a recent government meeting, officials provided an update on a significant chain project, revealing that bids from eight contractors were received, with the lowest bid coming in at $8.32 million. This figure is notably lower than the engineering estimate of $9.2 million, indicating a potential savings of $880,000 if the project remains within its defined scope.

The project is expected to benefit approximately 250 users, translating to a potential savings of about $35,100 per benefit unit. Additionally, the recent allocation of $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) further contributes to the financial relief for stakeholders involved.

Despite the positive news regarding the bid, officials acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly concerning the proximity of power lines to the planned sewer main installation. A contingency of 10-15% has been built into the project budget to address unforeseen issues that may arise during construction.

The board is set to review a resolution next week to formally accept the bids, with officials expressing cautious optimism about the project's financial outlook amidst the complexities involved.