The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office in Virginia announced today more than $2.4 million in water infrastructure funding for the Bland County Service Authority.
“Outdated water systems are unhealthy for people and the economy, which is a reason we work every day with Virginia localities to find solutions to water infrastructure challenges and other issues,” said USDA Rural Development’s Virginia State Director, Basil Gooden, Ph.D. “Solutions to these challenges create ripple effects that improve the economy, quality of life and environment in rural Virginia.”
Construction will include a new membrane filtration system, replacement of approximately 9,300 linear feet of water line, installation of telemetry equipment and water tank rehabilitation. The system serves approximately 535 residential and 55 commercial customers.
Project funding will be distributed as a $1,463,000 loan and a $1 million grant, both of which are part of the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan/grant agreement.
USDA Rural Development in 2015 invested more than $1 billion in rural Virginia through 40 loan, grant and loan guarantee programs in housing, business, agriculture, energy, health care and community facilities. It has employees stationed in 14 offices across the commonwealth to better serve residents where they live and to improve the economy and quality of life in rural Virginia.