EASLEY, S.C. (WSPA) – EPA administrator Michael Ragan visited Easley Wednesday to showcase ongoing sewage upgrade projects that are happening as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The EPA is working with state partners to deploy a more than $50 billion dollar federal investment in water infrastructure projects.

Regan joined city and state officials to discuss how local, state, and federal partners can work together to deliver benefits to underserved and overburdened residents.

“You really can’t solve these problems from behind a desk in Washington D.C., you have to visit these communities and understand how these communities are uniquely positioned,” Regan said.

The project in Easley, which is underway now, will connect the system to a bigger processing plant and extending the pipes to land for future developments.

“To actually connect to several subdivisions and several hundred acres of property that can be developed in Easley,” Mayor Butch Womack said.

The infrastructure bill will make paying for projects like this easier than ever.

“These resources are designed for communities just like Easley the heart beat the backbone of this country,” Regan said.

The bipartisan infrastructure program will invest $89-million into South Carolina over the next year, and is focused specifically on cities like Easley.

“That are expanding, that are rural, that are low to moderate income. That don’t have high tax bases,” Regan said.

And the mayor says the projects won’t stop there.

“This money coming in will be able to help them expand these lines other than just this one that you see today,” he said.

On top of that, Regan says projects like this will create 1,400 new jobs.

“You’re thinking about construction jobs. You’re thinking about pipe fitters, you’re thinking about contractors. Lots of jobs that don’t require additional education or you have to go out and get special certification. These are jobs–electricians, carpenters, pipe fitters–these are jobs that every day Americans can do, and do now,” Regan said.

But it’s the long term impact of this program the mayor is looking forward to the most.

“Politicians usually want to spend their money where you see it and this is investment where you don’t see it but it’s going to benefit our children and our grandchildren,” Womack said.

The project in Easley is expected to be completed by the end of April.