Congressman Dave Loebsack and Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa, today joined City of Fairfield Mayor Ed Malloy and other local officials on a tour of the city’s wastewater facility to learn how upcoming enhancements will improve the water quality in southeast Iowa.
“We are pleased to be assisting city leaders in Fairfield as they address water quality in such a meaningful way,” Menner said. “The long-term approach they are taking with this project will have many positive impacts on future generations.”
USDA Rural Development is awarding a $24,995,000 direct loan to the City of Fairfield that will help rehabilitate the city’s existing wastewater facility and bring it into compliance with Iowa Department of Natural Resources requirements. The existing plant was originally constructed in 1966, with updates and improvements added in 1984 and 2013. Still, the plant is not able to meet discharge limits and overflows to a local stream during heavy rain events.
This loan, the largest USDA Water and Environmental Programs loan ever issued in Iowa, will allow city leaders to implement a master plan over the next 10 years to make improvement to the treatment plant, repair much of the collection system and address high flows during rains. Treatment plant upgrades include such things as new trash screens, new grit removal systems and pumps, as well as an enlarged flow equalization basin.
Interest rates for this program which provides rural communities with the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems are currently at historic low levels.
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $4 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.
This past year USDA Rural Development’s assistance in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 60 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.
“We are proud to serve the needs of rural people and places to ensure that rural America continues to thrive and drive the economy,” Menner said. “We are very happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as their leaders work hard to make investments that have long-lasting impacts to help improve the quality of life for rural residents.”
Contact USDA Rural Development
Residents, businesses and communities in Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Van Buren and Washington Counties are served by the USDA Rural Development office in Mount Pleasant. For more information please call (319) 986-5800 Ext. 4. or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia.
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.