State Director Douglas Wilson announced that the Trump Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $268 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across 28 states. $20.9 million of that will be headed to Illinois rural residents and businesses.
"These projects reflect how Rural Development can assist communities and rural residents in achieving safe and plentiful water supplies," Wilson said. "We are partnering with local officials and businesses to make critical investments to help strengthen rural communities. And Rural Development is proud to serve communities throughout rural Illinois."
Background:
USDA is funding seven projects in Illinois through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will help to improve rural water infrastructure for 267,000 residents across the United States. For example:
- The City of Greenville, Ill., will use a $14 million loan to replace a water treatment plant to meet current peak demands as well as the future growth of the community.
- EJ Water Cooperative, Inc, will use a $180,000 loan to provide additional funding to cover construction costs. This project allows the water district to complete approximately 49 miles (or around 257,470 lineal feet) of 4-inch, 6-inch, and 8-inch diameter water main to serve an additional user. This project will alleviate a documented health and sanitary hazard that exists due to private contaminated wells. The project will serve portions of Sigel, Cumberland, and Claremont townships.
- United Regional Water Cooperative. will use a $1,770,000 loan and $1,430,000 grant to provide additional financing for the water treatment plant's construction. The project is modest in size, design, and cost. The project will correct health issues for the proposed service area and bring drinking water to acceptable standards for the users.
- Village of Ashmore. Will use a $320,000 loan to replace 10,631 linear feet of water main, along with service meters, fire hydrants, and associated miscellaneous appurtenances. System improvements will alleviate health and sanitary concerns, improve fire flow, and bring the system up to acceptable water standards. This project will provide safe potable water to 785 residents in Coles County.
- Village of Capron. Will use a $282,000 loan and a $109,000 grant to provide additional financing to extend Ogden Street's water main replacement. The proposal includes an additional 600 feet of water main replacement, associated road excavation, and repairs, other legal and engineering fees. These improvements will enable the Village to provide potable water to its residents.
- Village of Elizabeth. Will use a $98,000 loan and $136,000 grant to provide additional financing for construction costs to construct a new sewer main, lining, and utility hole covers. This project will deter health and sanitary issues, documented by the County Health Department. This project will allow the Village to continue providing sewer services to 761 people in Jo Daviess County.
- Village of Riverton, Incorporated., will use a $2,407,000 loan to provide wastewater treatment system updates for the Village of Riverton. The existing system has reached its useful life and no longer meets utility system standards. Improvements include installing new pipes, construction of a gravity sewer and a lift station for the new Overpass Business Park, existing lift station upgrades (grinder pump), and replacement of 3rd Street gravity sewer. Improvements will alleviate health and sanitary concerns and will better serve approximately 3,455 people in Sangamon County.
The investments that USDA announced today are being made in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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