NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 2, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Tennessee State Director Arlisa Armstrong today announced that USDA is investing in 116 projects, five of which will directly benefit rural communities across Tennessee. Part of the funding announced today will make water infrastructure in rural areas more resilient to the impacts of climate change and severe weather.
The Department is investing $1.3 billion to support projects in 30 states. The investments advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the American economy from the middle out and bottom up.
“The investments we’re announcing today advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and grow the economy for decades to come. Today, more than $39 million in investments will help rural communities across Tennessee expand access to clean and reliable drinking water and sanitary waste disposal,” State Director Armstrong said. “Through these projects, our agency is ensuring the residents who live and work in these communities have every opportunity to succeed right at home. That’s why USDA invests in rural America, because we know strong communities are rooted in their people.”
Strengthening Rural Water Infrastructure
In total, USDA is investing $443 million today through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and storm water drainage for people in 24 states.
More than $30 million of today’s investments will help utilities rebuild and strengthen water infrastructure after facing natural disasters and severe weather in California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.
The agency is helping state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build or improve rural wastewater systems. In Tennessee:
- Webb Creek Utility District will use a $134,000 grant to complete the replacement of an existing water storage tank with a new 155,000-gallon water storage tank. The project will allow the Utility District to better serve its customers with a safe, efficient, and reliable water system. The project will benefit the approximately 1,500 customers of the Webb Creek Utility District system, in Sevier County, Tenn.
- Town of Baxter will use a $1 million loan to provide additional financing for the Wastewater Treatment Plant system improvements project. This project will improve the sewer system for all sewer residents in the town of Baxter.
- Cunningham Utility District will use more than $2 million in loans to improve the water system for Cunningham Utility District.
- City of Paris will use a $855,000 grant to complete the sewer system rehab for the city of Paris. The project will improve the sewer collection system for the city and its 9,990 customers.
- Ocoee Utility District will use more than $35 million in loans and grants to construct a new Water Treatment Plant, install a raw water main, and replace other water distribution mains within the Ocoee Utility District system.
Funding under both programs benefit will help people living in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.
Delivering Clean, Reliable Energy
USDA is also providing $852 million in funding through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program to help utility providers and electric cooperatives build and improve electric infrastructure and smart-grid technologies in 14 states.
These projects will help ensure everyone in rural areas has access to reliable electricity to increase economic opportunity and improve quality of life.
Funding will benefit Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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 healthcare; 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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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