Release No. 0363.09
Contact:
USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN ANNOUNCES $154.8 MILLION FOR RURAL WATER PROJECTS
Recovery Act Funds Will Help Improve Infrastructure in Rural Areas of 15 States
WASHINGTON, August 3, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced the selection of $154.8 million in water and environmental project loans and grants that are being funded immediately through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Altogether, USDA has announced $1.29 billion for water and environmental project loans and grants, benefiting people throughout the country.
"The 36 Recovery Act water and wastewater projects we are announcing today further the Obama administration's goal to rebuild and revitalize the nation's rural infrastructure," Merrigan said. "These projects will put people to work, improve the health of families and communities, and make a down payment on a better environment for the future."
Among the projects announced today include a $798,000 loan and a $429,500 grant to construct a 114,000 gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plan and collection system, in Garrison, Ky. The residents of Lewis County, which persistently has a high poverty rate, have no public wastewater collection and treatment system. The residents have relied on individual septic systems which are failing and can contribute to unsanitary living and environmental conditions. The new system will provide more than 330 residents with safe waste disposal.
In Iron County, Mich., the City of Iron River Sewer Collection Replacement Project will receive a $2 million loan and a $3 million grant to upgrade an aging and deteriorated sewer collection and treatment system, and purchase a sewer cleaning vehicle for system maintenance. Currently, pollutants are released into the groundwater, causing environmental and public health hazards. The new sewer system will prevent leaching, sanitary sewer overflows and residential basement flooding.
The ARRA funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Below is a complete list of award recipients, by state:
Florida:
Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners - $1,495,000 direct loan and $713,500 grant
Idaho:
City of Dubois - $675,000 direct loan and $289,000 grant
Illinois:
Village of Clay City - $1,062,000 direct loan
City of Vienna - $1,240,000 direct loan and $1,460,000 grant
Indiana:
Town of Morocco - $3,945,000 direct loan and $5,260,000 grant
St. Henry Water Corporation - $1,730,000 direct loan
Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District - $12,163,000 direct loan and $9,949,000 grant
Kentucky:
Garrison-Quincy-KY-O-Heights Water District - $798,000 direct loan and $429,500 grant
Greater Fleming County Regional Water Commission - $994,000 direct loan and $426,000 grant
City of Irvine - $4,577,000 direct loan and $2,000,000 grant
City of Lancaster - $1,641,000 direct loan and $703,000 grant
Louisiana:
Town of Amite City - $1,750,000 and $2,262,000 direct loans and $1,793,000 grant
Maine:
Town of Farmington - $131,000 direct loan and $370,000 grant
Michigan:
Village of Edmore - $2,501,000 direct loan and $1,852,000 grant
City of Gaastra - $300,000 direct loan and $900,000 grant
City of Hancock - $2,092,000 and $1,225,000 direct loans and $1,908,000 and $2,975,000 grants
City of Iron River - $2,000,000 direct loan and $3,000,000 grant
Nahma Township - $242,000 direct loan and $723,000 grant
City of Negaunee - $3,673,000 direct loan and $1,691,000 grant
City of Wakefield - $7,012,000 direct loan and $2,400,000 grant
New York:
Town of Chesterfield - $100,000 direct loan and $5,111,400 grant
Puerto Rico:
PR Aqueduct & Sewer Authority (Adjuntas) - $4,415,000 direct loan and $4,106,000 grant
PR Aqueduct 33 (Ponce/La Yuca) - $727,000 direct loan and $238,642 grant
PR Aqueduct 33 (Aibonito/La Plata) - $4,479,000 direct loan
South Carolina:
City of Pickens - $9,819,000 direct loan and $6,051,000 grant
South Dakota:
City of Bowdle - $738,000 direct loan and $517,000 grant
Town of Hermosa - $96,000 direct loan
Town of Java - $58,000 direct loan and $287,000 grant
Town of Rosholt - $562,000 direct loan and $753,000 grant
Town of Warner - $444,000 direct loan
Utah:
Town of Brian Head - $5,569,000 direct loan and $3,603,000 grant
Virginia:
Town of Louisa - $3,315,000 direct loan
Vermont:
Town of St. Johnsbury - $3,750,000 direct loan and $11,250,000 grant
West Virginia:
Town of Tunnelton - $493,000 grant
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery . More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov .
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
#
USDA News
oc.news@xxxxxxxx
202 720-4623
----------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, send email to mailto:webservices@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE and reference your email address.
