Release No. 0628.09
Contact:
USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES $116 MILLION FOR RURAL WATER PROJECTS
Recovery Act Funds Will Help Improve Infrastructure in Rural Areas of 19 States
WASHINGTON, December 29, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of $116.9 million in water and environmental project loans and grants that are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Altogether, USDA has announced $ 2.08 billion for Recovery Act water and environmental project loans and grants, benefiting people throughout the country.
"Recovery Act projects are helping rural communities of all sizes build a foundation for economic strength, future prosperity, and a healthy environment," said Vilsack. "The projects we're announcing today will help create jobs while rebuilding America's infrastructure."
For example, the West Dallas Water Authority in Selma, Ala., was selected to receive a $1.2 million loan and $1.8 million grant to expand the water system in Dallas County - a persistent poverty county. The expansion will include construction of new water distribution lines which will provide potable drinking water to approximately 100 new residential customers in an unserved area of Dallas County. Additionally, new generators will be purchased to serve as backup power supply to provide more reliable water service during natural disasters and power outages.
Meanwhile, the Wysox Municipal Authority in Towanda, Pa., has been selected to receive a $1.9 million loan to provide safe public drinking water to a community of more than 480 residents. Currently, the community has no public water system and the residents are faced with using water that contains bacteria, volatile organic and inorganic chemicals. Funding will be used to install 60,000 linear feet of water lines through the Township, construct a 220,000 gallon water storage tank and pump station.
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:
Alabama
West Dallas Water Authority; $1,215,000 loan; $1,881,000 grant; water system improvements
Colorado
Tranquil Acres Water Supply, Inc., $315,000 loan; $249,700 grant; water system improvements
Florida
Fowler's Bluff Water Sys Assn, Inc., $685,000 loan; $1,821,300 grant; wastewater system upgrades
Illinois
City of Chrisman; $1,245,000 loan; wastewater system improvements
Washington County Water Company, $1,600,000 loan; $1,084,500 grant; water system improvements
Iowa
Iowa Regional Utilities Association, $670,000 loan; water system improvements
Kansas
Elk County RWD #2, $1,115,000 loan; $1,072,000 grant; water system improvements
Kentucky
City of Somerset, $14,000,000 loan; $6,000,000 grant; water system improvements
Southeastern Water Association, Inc., $3,995,000 loan; $1,655,000 grant; water system improvements
Louisiana
City of Jeanerette, $2,463,000 loan; water system improvements
Maine
Lincoln Sanitary District, $400,000 loan; $1,072,500 grant; wastewater system improvements
Mars Hill Utility District, $85,000 loan; $255,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
Mars Hill Utility District-Route 1 Water; $860,000 loan; $1,300,000 grant; water system improvements
Massachusetts
Town of Chatham, $21,585,540 loan; $17,777,880 grant; wastewater system improvements
Town of West Bridgewater, $1,273,000 loan; $1,027,000 grant; water system improvements
Michigan
City of Cheboygan, $3,106,000 loan; water system improvements
Dorr Township, $1,399,000 loan; wastewater system improvements
Minnesota
City of Argyle, $2,314,000 loan; $633,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
Missouri
City of Fairfax, $939,000 loan; $690,410 grant; water system improvements
Mosby Wastewater Treatment System, $402,000 loan; $371,600 grant; wastewater system improvements
Nebraska
Shelby Water Improvement Project, $442,000 loan; $354,000 grant; water system improvements
Pennsylvania
Wysox Municipal Authority, $1,944,800 loan; water system improvements
South Carolina
Town of Williamston, $3,327,000 loan; $2,068,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
Utah
Dixie Deer Special Service District, $684,000 loan, $316,000 grant; water system improvements
Washington County Water Conservancy District, $2,435,000 loan; water system improvements
Washington
City of Long Beach, $4,000,000; loan; water system improvements
West Virginia
Lubeck Public Service District,$1,653,000 loan; $1,644,500 grant; water system improvements
City of Spencer, $394,000 loan; $1,106,000 grant; water system improvements
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.
