The loan will be shared equally and paid back equally by each of the towns. The water line to be constructed between Saluda and Tryon is part of the three towns&squo; emergency drought project, which also includes placing a reverse valve on an existing Tryon/Columbus water line so the towns can both exchange water.

The loan was the last of approvals needed before construction of the line can begin. Last year the towns were awarded a $1.73 million grant from the N.C. Rural Center and a $300,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the project.

The $1.43 million no interest loan is the towns&squo; match to the rural center grant.

Tryon Town Manager Justin Hembree said the water line could begin construction late summer or early fall. The rights of way for the line have been obtained as well as a required environmental study that was recently completed and showed no negative impacts.

Bids for the project were received last week and a bid could be awarded on the project in the next couple of weeks, Hembree said.

Once complete, the line will enable the towns of Tryon, Saluda and Columbus to exchange water in emergency situations,&bsp; and the towns will also be able to purchase water from Hendersonville and Asheville since the City of Saluda purchases its water from Hendersonville, which is connected to Asheville.