Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced funding for 34 projects to protect public health and the environment by improving water quality and public sanitation services in 24 states. Merrigan made the announcement this morning at the Halifax County Courthouse where she highlighted the environmental, health and economic benefits the Recovery Act funding will provide to the Maple Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant and the local community.
"The Obama Administration is committed to investing in infrastructure to improve the efficiency and availability of water in rural America. Rural areas suffer from multiple problems associated with their water infrastructure," Merrigan said, "Economic assistance to rural communities for investments in water availability is especially valuable, given the borrowing constraints that small or poor communities may face. These Recovery Act investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will create construction jobs, help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America."
The Halifax County Service Authority in Halifax County, Va., has been selected to receive a $5 million Recovery Act loan and a $10.4 million grant utilizing water and environmental program funding. The funding will be used to expand the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant to meet the regionalization effort being undertaken by the Authority. In addition, the project will correct inadequacies and health hazards to meet standards of the Department of Environmental Quality and increase treatment capacity. The sewer system serves 3,000 residential homes and 664 businesses.
The projects announced today will improve infrastructure across rural America. For instance, the Village of Crawford, Nebraska has been selected to receive a $3.6 million loan and $1 million grant to improve a 74 year old wastewater disposal system. This funding will allow the Village to meet the established timeline for state environmental compliance
USDA Rural Development today is providing $157.3 million for 34 water and wastewater infrastructure projects in local communities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and $45.6 million through other USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Program funding. To date, USDA has announced $2.9 billion in Recovery Act funds for 788 water and environmental projects. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama one year ago.
The Water and Environmental Program 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
Mosses Water, Sewer & Fire Protection Authority: $299,000 loan (ARRA) and $690,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Arizona
Hualapai West Pipeline Project: $2,000,000 loan (ARRA) $2,000,000 grant (ARRA); and $9,307,209 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Colorado
The Town of Palisade: $3,992,000 loan (ARRA) and $3,808,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Connecticut
The Town of East Windsor: $2,180,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,707,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
The Town of Kent: $515,000 loan (ARRA) and $418,600 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Florida
The City of Mexico Beach: $2,153,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,840,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Georgia
Chattooga County: $2,801,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,191,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Kentucky
Paducah-McCracken Joint Sewer Agency: $4,324,000 loan (ARRA); $1,294,000 grant (ARRA); and $406,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Louisiana
The Town of Jonesville: $3,326,000 loan (ARRA) and $9,463,893 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
The Town of Jonesville: $3,292,000 loan (ARRA) and $3,634,818 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Maryland
The Town of Lonaconing: $6,699,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,323,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Michigan
Williamston Sewer System Improvements: $3,540,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Williamston Water System Improvements: $4,800,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Minnesota
The City of Lismore: $686,000 loan (ARRA) and $394,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Nebraska
The Village of Crawford: $3,623,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,050,900 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
New Jersey
Flemington Borough: $351,000 loan (ARRA) and $704,050 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
New York
The Village of Corinth: $1,138,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
The Village of Rushville: $1,975,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
North Carolina
Onslow Water & Sewer Authority: $24,541,000 loan (ARRA) and $9,816,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
North Dakota
The City of Sheldon: $204,000 loan (ARRA) and $166,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Oklahoma
Konawa Public Works Authority: $1,001,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,999,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Pennsylvania
Borough of Portage Municipal Authority: $4,878,500 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
South Carolina
Southern Calhoun County: $2,713,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,611,500 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Tennessee
Cedar Grove Utility District: $600,000 loan (ARRA) and $256,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
The City of Crossville: $1,700,000 loan (ARRA) and $800,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
The City of Decherd: $782,000 loan (ARRA) and $218,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
The Town of Jonesborough: $3,270,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,500,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.
The City of Manchester: $1,348,000 loan (ARRA) and $455,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Springville Utility District: $863,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,925,500 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
The City of Trenton: $615,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Texas
Fort Bend County Fresh Water Supply District No. 2: $6,619,000 loan (ARRA) and $8,673,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Virginia
Halifax County Service Authority: $5,000,000 loan (ARRA) and $10,400,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Washington
The City of Cashmere: $13,690,000 loan (ARRA) and $6,001,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Wyoming
The City of Laramie: $1,072,000 loan (ARRA) and $340,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for 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.
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