U.S. Department of Agriculture Ohio Rural Development State Director David L. Hall today announced the Village of Rio Grande in Gallia County is among 76 rural communities and water systems nationwide that will benefit from a $268 million USDA investment to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
“Ohio’s rural leaders know the success of their communities begins with the health and safety of their citizens,” said Hall. “Ensuring access to clean water and functional wastewater treatment is the foundation from which good growth springs. Not only does it pave the way for business and manufacturing, it also helps folks feel more confident about raising their families in Ohio’s small towns.
“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.”
Rio Grande will use its combined $2,468,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant to make improvements to the village’s 84-year-old wastewater treatment facility. In addition to serving the 830 residents of Rio Grande, itself, the system also supports nearly fifty customers from the nearby community of Centerville and includes the University of Rio Grande / Rio Grande Community College campus.
In addition to Rio Grande, investments were recently announced in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 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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