FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike McGill
(910) 332-6704
After Hours: (910) 622-8472
Mike.McGill@cfpua.org
communications@cfpua.org
WILMINGTON, NC, June 5, 2014: For five days in May, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s (CFPUA) Sweeney Water Treatment Plant was turned into a movie set for the first time in its history. After months of planning, the producers of Max Steel shot key scenes of the film in several interior parts of the plant. Because the shoot was a new endeavor for CFPUA, the Authority asked for a donation instead of a location fee for using its facilities. As a result, CFPUA is pleased to announce today it has received a $10,000 donation from the producers of “Max Steel” to CFPUA Assist, a partnership between the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and United Way of the Cape Fear Area that provides aid to some of our neighbors in need because of financial struggles. The program is administered by the Salvation Army.
“We wanted to help our customers, as well as support the local economy,” said Jim Flechtner, CFPUA Executive Director. “We’re grateful to the producers of Max Steel for their generous donation. It will go a long way to assisting people in need of a helping hand.”
“The United Way of the Cape Fear Area has been partnering with CFPUA for several years to address what is not often thought of as an area of need,” said Chris Nelson, President, United Way of the Cape Fear Area (www.uwcfa.org). “The film industry has long been a vital part of our community and we hope this will generate additional gifts to help dozens of local families.”
CFPUA would also like to thank the production for their professionalism and willingness to work with such a sensitive site, including keeping the shoot a secret. “Given the importance of the Sweeney plant, we wanted to make sure our service would not be affected by such an extensive operation,” said Flechtner. “Fortunately, the Max Steel team prepped, filmed and restored the site without a hitch. 24 hours after their last shot, you never would have known they were there.”
There are several ways for the public to donate to CFPUA Assist. 100% of a donation goes directly to a recipient’s water bill; there is NO administrative fee.
1) Checks can be sent, payable to CFPUA Assist, to:
United Way of the Cape Fear Area
5919 Oleander Drive, Suite 115
Wilmington, NC 28403
2) Donate online with United Way of the Cape Fear Area. Click here to visit the CFPUA Assist page on the UWCFA’s website or go their homepage at www.uwcfa.org and choose CFPUA Assist in the Donation Category.
3) Set up an amount to be included on each of your CFPUA bills. Contact CFPUA at (910) 332-6550.
4) Set up recurring payment with United Way. Contact United Way at (910) 798-3911.
5) Make a cash, check or debit/credit card payment in person at 235 Government Center Drive or at 305 Chestnut Street.
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Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) was formed by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County to combine their water and sewer operations. It began operations on July 1, 2008. Today, the Authority serves more than 67,000 water customer accounts and more than 65,000 wastewater customer accounts. It oversees more than 1,000 miles of water distribution mains and nearly 1,000 miles of sewer mains. For more information, visit www.cfpua.org or contact CFPUA’s Communications staff at communications@cfpua.org.