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USDA Rural Development Invests $4.8 Million to Upgrade Two Rural Maine Water Systems

Name
Emily Cannon
Phone
City
Washington DC
Release Date


Maine Investment is Part of $462 Million Impacting 467,000 Rural Americans

The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $462 million to modernize critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across rural America. In Maine, Bridgton Water District and Milo Water District have been selected receive funding.

“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,” Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

USDA Rural Development Timothy P. Hobbs said, “This investment of $4.8 million in two Maine water systems is another example of the Trump Administration’s commitment to ensuring rural residents have quality and reliable infrastructure. Supporting thriving rural communities is paramount in the work we do for rural communities every day at USDA Rural Development.”

In Maine, USDA Rural Development is investing a total of $4.8 million in two water systems:

  • Bridgton Water District has been selected to receive a total of $2.4 million (Water and Waste Direct Loan of $1,800,000 and Water and Waste Grant in the amount of $600,000). This Rural Development investment will be used to replace approximately 7,800-linear feet of existing water mains in the greater downtown area of Bridgton, Maine. The 80-year-old mains, which are comprised of unlined cast iron, contain excessive tuberculation and corrosion which is creating issues with both the quantity and quality of water delivered to the customers. The rehabilitation improvements address the aging infrastructure and capacity issues in the project area, as well as restore the design capacity of the system at a reasonable cost. The proposed upgrades, which are long overdue, will help the distribution system operate more effectively and efficiently.
     
  • Milo Water District has been selected to receive a total of $2.4 million (Water and Waste Direct Loan of $1,200,000 and Water and Waste Grant of $1,200,000). This Rural Development investment will be used to upgrade the 2nd Street Pump Station, the Ida Moore Pump Station and Infiltration & Inflow reduction in the collection system. The project also includes some minor upgrades at the wastewater treatment facility. The primary purpose of the project is to address the applicable health or sanitary standard.

USDA is funding 161 projects in 44 states through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will benefit 467,000 residents.

The investments that USDA announced today are being made in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Maine, interested parties should contact Robert Nadeau, Community Programs Director, at (207) 990-9121 or robert.nadeau@usda.gov.

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/me.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.