U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) New York State Director for Rural Development Richard Mayfield today announced that the department is investing more than $9 million on four projects across rural New York State. This is part of a national announcement where the USDA is investing $281 million in 106 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities in 36 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is funding the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
“These investments will bring modern, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure to rural communities across NY State. They will replace deteriorating, leaking water pipes with new ones and upgrade water handling systems that are decades old. These investments create jobs and improve public health and safety for our rural neighbors,” Mayfield said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Eligible applicants include rural cities, towns and water districts. The funds can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities that meet population limits.
Below are examples of water and wastewater projects in rural communities that will receive funding:
- Town of Ripley This USDA Rural Development investment of $200,000 in
loan and $400,000 in grant will be used to extend public
sewer into a northwest area of the town of Ripley. The
extension would connect to the existing sewer system. - Town of Kendall This Rural Development investment of $68,000 in loan will
be used to create Water District #8 in the Town of Kendall.
This project will extend water service to 52 residential
users. - Village of Canisteo This Rural Development investment of $1,998,000 in loan
will be used to replace sections of the water main within
the village’s distribution system. A water storage tank will
also be rehabilitated. Residential water meter purchase and
installation will also be completed to provide accurate
usage monitoring. - Village of Clayton This Rural Development investment of $5,872,000 in loan
and $1,000,000 in grant will be used to repair and replace
the Village of Clayton’s Wastewater Treatment Facility and
Collection System. This project will go on to provide
reliable sanitary sewer collection and treatment to
approximately 2,000 village residents.
For application or eligibility information, view the interactive RD Apply tool or contact one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
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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