USDA Rural Development Lawrenceburg Area Director Faye McEwen today joined U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn to announce USDA-RD funding for the City of Waynesboro. Through USDA-RD’s Rural Business Development Grant and Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant, the city received $516,000 toward two projects totaling over $1.6 million.
“We are thrilled to support the City of Waynesboro’s efforts to improve marketability for the industrial park and develop a new water source for the area,” McEwen said. “This investment will help Waynesboro in its efforts to attract new business and industry to the rural area.”
The grants will assist with conducting studies and surveys to meet requirements to become a Select Tennessee Certified Site and develop a new water source at the Geissler Springs well.
The city received a $16,000 RBDG, along with a State of Tennessee Select Tennessee Certified Site Grant to help the Waynesboro Industrial Park continue its work toward becoming an STCS. Obtaining this designation will significantly increase the community’s marketability and decrease a company’s start-up time should the company choose to locate in the park.
Because the city’s current water source was damaged during road construction, the water showed high levels of bacteria and turbidity. A new water source was needed, and the $500,000 ECWAG will provide the funds necessary to develop the source at the Geissler Springs well.
Others participating in the event include State Senator Joey Hensley, Waynesboro Mayor Jeff Howell, Waynesboro City Manager John Hickman, Waynesboro City Commissioners Jeff Davis and Charlie Mosley and Lawrenceburg RD Area Office Staff.
USDA Rural Development is moving investments to rural America with housing, business and infrastructure loans and grants to create jobs and strengthen rural economies with an emphasis to assist areas of persistent poverty. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses in 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing more than $6.6 billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees, and grants.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs available in Middle Tennessee contact the Lawrenceburg Area Office at 931-762-6913 x 4. Visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.