The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $30 Million in seven communities in rural New York. This is part of a national announcement where USDA is investing $268 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across 28 states.
“Upgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water and modern wastewater management facilities will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities,” NY State Director for Rural Development Richard Mayfield said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Projects in New York include:
- Village of Dansville This Rural Development investment of $3,701,000 in loan funding will be used to improve the water system in the village of Dansville. The project will repair the water system for 4,719 residents, providing safe potable water and eliminate the public health risks associated with the quality and quantity of ground water in the area.
- Town of Byron This Rural Development investment of $5,550,000 in loan funding and $4,425,000 in grant funding will be used to create Water Improvement Area #1 in the town of Byron. This project will extend public water service to 608 people in the town who currently do not have safe potable water. Water quality testing indicates a significant portion of residents' individual wells have coliform and E. coli contamination, which the health department indicates does not meet standards and are a threat to the health of residents. There are no other funding sources.
- Town of Pavilion This Rural Development investment of $567,000 in loan funding will be used to build a new 300,000-gallon water storage tank and over one mile of water supply pipeline. The new water storage tank and pipeline will serve 2,495 people. Currently, due to the present water storage tank's deteriorated condition the town has significant water quality concerns. The current tank is located in a lower elevation so that the town does not have sufficient water pressure to fight fires in all areas. The new water tank will be located at a much higher elevation 1280 feet and will supply plenty of water pressure and good quality water.
- Town of Scriba This Rural Development investment of $15,011,000 in loan funding will be used to help the town of Scriba finance the installation of a new sewage collection system, extension of sewer service along a major route to residents and the existing nuclear power plants. The project also includes construction of a new wastewater treatment facility. The loan will help the town provide affordable sanitation to 945 people.
- Town of Stafford This Rural Development investment of $1,353,000 in loan funding and $1,639,000 in grant funding will be used to create Water District #12 in the town of Stafford. This project will extend public water service to 185 residents in the town that currently do not have safe potable water. Water quality testing indicates a significant portion of residents' individual wells have coliform and E. coli contamination, which the health department indicates do not meet standards and are a threat to the health of residents.
- Village of Potsdam This Rural Development investment of $1,895,000 in loan funding will be used to renovate the water tank in the village of Potsdam. This project will provide clean water to 9,428 people in the village that have insufficient quality and quantity of water in the service area.
- Village of Whitehall This Rural Development investment of $481,000 in loan funding will be used to line the existing pipe, replace and/or repair the support brackets, reconnect the pipe across the Poultney Street bridge, and insulate the length of the pipe. The improvements will result in the return of proper water pressure to the east half of the village including several businesses and the Whitehall Central School. The project will also result in redundant service to half of the village in the event of any emergency.
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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