I joined Dewberry’s Raleigh office just after graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 2004. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work on several major projects for clients such as Duke University, the City of Raleigh, the University of North Carolina, and my own alma mater, North Carolina State University. Many of these and other projects I’ve helped to design impact the lives of thousands of people, and are vital to the high-growth areas in this southern state.

But here in North Carolina, as in many of our offices around the country, we also often turn our focus to helping sustain small, rural communities. One recent project for the Town of Milton—a historic community with a population of fewer than 150—is certain to be one of the most memorable of my career.

Milton is located along the Dan River in Caswell County. The town is best known as the home of Thomas Day, a free African-American cabinet maker who was born in 1801. About 30 years ago, Dewberry designed the water system for Milton. Then, in 2006, the town asked for our help again, and this time, the community was close to a crisis.

Because of the region’s clay-based soil and the small lots in the town, many of the businesses and residential septic systems had failed. A number of homes and businesses had been threatened by the local health department with being condemned, and over time, residents had started to leave the community.

We were able to step in, help re-secure committed funding from state and federal agencies, and design a new wastewater treatment facility and sewer collection system. Even with the grants, the town had a very limited budget—and no time to lose. Our work encompassed a preliminary engineering report, an environmental assessment, a challenging permitting process, design, and community outreach. A grinder pump station was installed at every home and business, and it was important to keep residents informed.

Today, Milton is no longer threatened by the environmental challenge that had plagued the town for so long. Their future as a community—and as a National Historic District—is secure. In my mind, that’s a big project, with a big result.