Upgraded and reliable utilities with the ability to protect groundwater will soon become a reality for the residents of Rhinelander, Wis. thanks to the City’s Utility and Streetscape Improvement Project.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director, Stan Gruszynski, joined State officials and local leaders today at a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the commencement of construction of the City’s Project.
“Aging infrastructure systems restricts the ability of rural communities to provide reliable services to residents and protect critical environmental resources.” said Gruszynski. “Improvements to the City’s waste collection system is critical to expansion and growth. These sorts of investments create jobs, protect health, inspire a greater sense of community, and make sense! USDA Rural Development is proud to be a partner with the citizens of Rhinelander.”
Through this effort, the City of Rhinelander will improve sewer services for the community. The project will provide for the separation of the existing combined sanitary and storm water sewers in the downtown area. The project will address the aged and deteriorated combined sewer and manholes; eliminate potential for sanitary sewer backups; upgrade both sewer systems to meet engineering standards; and adhere to City policy and State sewer separation requirements. The separation of the sanitary and storm sewers will also help to prevent the bypass of raw sewage into Wisconsin River headwaters.
Support for the project has been provided through both State and Federal Agencies including, the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and USDA Rural Development.
The project received a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) From DOA and combined total of $4.667 million from WI DNR through the Clean Water Fund Program and the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. In addition, USDA Rural Development approved a $3.754 million loan and grant combination toward the project through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs. This project was celebrated as a National USDA Earth Day Project in 2014.
The Water and Environmental Program provides loans and grants to ensure that necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
During the past year, USDA Rural Development invested nearly $577 million throughout rural Wisconsin and helped a record number of residents receive funding for economic development projects and quality of life improvements. The agency’s investment in Wisconsin helped create or retain more than 1,560 jobs; aided 3,000 families in buying their own homes; and assisted more than 80 communities in improving community facilities and upgrading local infrastructure. For more information on USDA Rural Development programs visit USDA’s web site at www.rd.usda.gov/wi.