Union Water Supply Corporation set to grow with $8.5 Million Loan and $20.4 Million Grant
RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas, Feb. 2, 2024 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Lillian Salerno today visited Rio Grande City, alongside U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, to announce a $29 million investment to improve and expand water infrastructure in Starr County, Texas.
“Union Water Supply Corporation has taken a proactive step to ensure that essential services such as this wastewater plant expansion project will be available for residents both now and in the future,” Salerno said. “USDA Rural Development is proud to provide this grant and loan combination to assure folks in Starr County receive the same type of services as their counterparts in urban areas of Texas.”
The proposed project will add a water treatment capacity of 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD), bringing the total capacity to 4.0 MGD. Improvements consist of water treatment plant expansion and rehabilitation, river station rehabilitation, and distribution system upgrades. These improvements and expanded capacity are pivotal in addressing critical health and sanitation challenges.
Funding announced today by State Director Salerno, Area Director Roel Gomez, and U.S. Congressman Cuellar is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The $8.5 million loan and a $20.4 million grant to the Union Water Supply Corporation will help propel the expansion and enhancement of water infrastructure that will address critical challenges to meet the growing needs of the nearly 5,000 rural residents they serve.
Background: Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program
To be eligible for Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program funding, eligible applicants include most state and local governmental entities, private non-profits and federally recognized tribes. An applicant must serve Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less, tribal lands in rural areas, and colonias.
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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development in Texas is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/tx, by calling (254) 742-9700, or by following @RD_Texas on X (formerly Twitter).
If you’d like to subscribe to Texas USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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