New funds for a new Lawrence County business could bring up to 50 new jobs to the area.

The Lawrence County Commission Thursday approved two 2006 Community Development Block Grant applications that will, hopefully, provide money for two community water projects and for the planned expansion of an area business.

County leaders are seeking $431,000 on behalf of Engines, Inc., to pay for new equipment purchase and installation as part of its planned expansion.

Engines, Inc. moved to The Point industrial park last summer, occupying the park’s first shell building. Since then, the West Virginia-based outfit has leased three older, vacant buildings. With the new equipment, that company would further expand to the second shell building nearby.

Dave Michael, director of community development for the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization, said the expansion would create 50 new jobs.

Lawrence County Commissioner Doug Malone said he’s pleased with this bit of good news and hopes it’s part of a trend.

“They brought in about 50 jobs to start with and now they’re coming with another 50 jobs,” he said. “Getting the Foreign Trade Zone designation is also going to help The Point. Really this is going to help all of Lawrence County. And then Rumpke’s coming in. I’m happy with all the jobs.”

Carl Grover, president of Engines, Inc., was contacted for this story but was not immediately available for comment.

The second application for $217,000 in CDBG formula funding includes $75,000 for water and sewer treatment plant improvements in the village of Coal Grove and $90,000 to pay for water line extensions along county roads 4, 48, and 49 and Township Road 267 in Symmes Township.

“There are probably 25 households in that area that would be included in this project,” Michael said. “The block grant monies will pay for the materials. Hecla Water Co. would install the lines and pay for the engineering.”

Also, $10,500 in formula monies would be set aside to pay water tap fees for low-to-moderate income residents. The remainder of the $217,000 would fund the county’s fair housing program and for administration fees.

Michael said if all goes well, those water lines could be operational by the end of next year.

Michael said he hopes to know by September if the applications are approved.