TEMPLE, T.X. Feb. 21, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Texas State Director Lillian Salerno today announced that USDA is funding a total of $45,978,000 in loans and grants across 13 projects in rural Texas as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.
“These investments in rural development represent more than infrastructure upgrades to our rural communities,” Salerno said. “Improvements in systems like the ones in the City of Idalou and McClelland Water Supply Corporation, not only address critical needs in water and waste management but also lay the groundwork for a stronger more resilient future and long-term success for the communities. Modernizing infrastructure supports rural towns with the tools necessary for those successes, aligning with President Biden's promise of rebuilding the physical infrastructure of our country to grow the economy for decades to come.”
Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
USDA is also financing projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to help state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build and improve rural wastewater systems. The funding enables rural communities to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and stormwater drainage.
In Texas:
• City of Idalou - will use a $2,850,000 water and waste disposal loan to replace the aged, elevated storage tank with a 100,000 single pedestal elevated storage tank. In addition, a water treatment facility will be constructed to eliminate well contamination. This project will benefit 2,250 rural customers.
• McClelland Water Supply Corporation – will use a $1,980,000 water and waste disposal loan to make improvements to Plant 1, construct a second plant, and upgrade approximately 22 miles of distribution lines throughout the corporation's service area. McClelland Water Supply Corporation serves approximately 2,000 residents located south of Shelbyville, Texas.
A full list of projects from today’s national announcement in North Carolina is available online.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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