State funding secured: Canton moves forward with land purchase for new town-owned wastewater plant at the former mill site.
The money keeping Canton afloat actually comes from three distinct chapters of government action.
Phase 1: The Construction Foundation (2021–2024)
The Funding: $38 Million (Initial Construction & Design), including funding from the Federal EPA via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021), according to the EPA.
The Source: Federal EPA via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021).
The Administration: Biden-Harris Administration.
The Facts: This is the "big money" required to build a modern plant from scratch. These federal funds were allocated through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) during the previous presidential term. By 2024, the money was allocated for Canton, but it couldn't be spent until the town found a place to build.
Phase 2: The Land Purchase (June 2025)
The Funding: $16 Million ($14M for land, $2M for site prep) from House Bill 1012 (The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025), according to project documents.
The Source: House Bill 1012 (The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025).
The Administration: Governor Josh Stein and the NC General Assembly.
The Facts: This was a state-level response to Hurricane Helene. While the construction money was already waiting, the town needed immediate cash to buy 35 acres from the new mill owner, Spirtas Worldwide. This state-funded "Helene Relief" package was the final key that allowed the town to move the project to safer, higher ground.
Phase 3: The Accountability Settlement (February 2025)
The Funding: $5.75 Million
The Source: Legal settlement with Pactiv-Evergreen.
The Officials: Spearheaded by then-AG (now Governor) Josh Stein and former Governor Roy Cooper.
The Facts: This wasn't a "grant"—it was restitution. The state sued the mill for closing early and breaking its job-creation promises. This money went directly to Canton and Haywood County to help stabilize the budget after the mill's tax revenue disappeared.
The Bottom Line
The $38 million for the bricks and mortar of the new plant was secured under the last presidential administration (2021–2024). The $16 million to buy the dirt it sits on was secured under the current state administration (2025) as a direct response to storm recovery.