BENTON -- Plans are moving forward for Public Water Supply District No. 4 in Scott County.

On the heels of several inquiries about the project, Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said several meetings with the PWSD 4 Board are planned within the next few weeks..

"We are in conversation with the board so we can relate to the public as to the status of the water district," said Burger at Thursday's regular county commission meeting. The district covers "a majority of the county," he said.

Last summer, water district officials were obtaining easements to run water lines. In February, Phil Lyon, president of the Board of Directors for PWSD 4, said he hoped to have the first phase of the project completed by this fall.

The project will be done in several phases, according to Burger.

In other news, the commissioners collectively commended the city of Sikeston for landing the Orgill project.

"We applaud Sikeston in a job well done," said Burger. He specifically mentioned Mayor Mike Marshall, Economic Developer Ed Dust and City Council members, and spoke of the added impact of the new business, "in light of tough economic times in our nation."

On Wednesday, Orgill Inc., the world's largest independent distributor of home improvement products, announced plans to locate its new distribution center in Sikeston. The "Mid-America Supercenter" is set to open in August 2009 with about 150 employees, which is expected to grow to 350 in the next five years.

"We strongly believe that this project will breed success," said Burger. "And it gives hope to the 80 people from Cott Beverages and other people who have lost their jobs to economic downturn."

Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said he is "definitely excited for Sikeston."

It's also a good thing for the county, commissioners pointed out. "Any time any community in the county has a success, it's a success for the whole county," said Ziegenhorn. He said the added jobs and opportunities will make Sikeston a place young adults can live and be prosperous.

The county is making plans to help make the project as big of a success as possible. On Tuesday, commissioners will meet with Steve Duke of the Bootheel Regional Planning to discuss using some grant money to blacktop County Road 468 near the 70-acre site the center will sit on.

"That will give an alternate access road near the Industrial Park," said Burger.

County officials will tour the site with Duke on Tuesday, too. Ziegenhorn also invited Sikeston city leaders to sit in on the meeting.

Echoing comments made by Sikeston officials, Burger said the relocation "will open the door for other people to look at us." He said the location, in light of high fuel prices, should be beneficial for several companies looking to move operations.

In other business on Thursday:

County Clerk Rita Milam presented a bid proposal from Edward J. Rice Company Inc. in Springfield, which was an assessment list estimate. It was the lone bid submitted to Assessor Teresa Houchin, for a total cost of $13,952.58.

Milam noted the bid is simply an estimate, because the quantity of each type of assessment list and services needed varies and cannot be determined yet.

Commissioners voted to award the bid.

Commissioners asked Joel Evans, county developer, to add some updates of upcoming events to the county's Web site, www.scottcountymo.com

The Board of Equalization was closed. No cases came before the board this session.