USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Lewis joined with local leaders and residents on Wednesday morning in Kimball to celebrate the recent funding award to the McDowell County Public Service District. Mr. Lewis presented officials with a presentation check commemorating the funding award.
The McDowell County Public Service District is the recipient of a Rural Utilities Service Loan of $2,078,000 and a Grant of $5,922,000 to support the Elkhorn Regional Water Project. Funds from USDA Rural Development will be used to replace failing water systems in the Towns of Kimball and Northfork, the City of Keystone, as well as several other rural communities within McDowell County.
USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Lewis said, “We are very excited to be a part of this very important project for McDowell County. Access to safe drinking water is vital to the livability of rural communities and a critical component of economic development.” He went on to say, “Today, we celebrate not only this funding award, but also the hard work and determination of everyone associated with the McDowell County Public Service District, the McDowell County Commission, officials from the towns of Kimball, Northfork and Keystone and the residents of these communities.”
Mr. Lewis went on to add, “In Fiscal Year 2013, USDA Rural Development invested more than $410 million to improve housing conditions, build and improve infrastructure and create and retain jobs in rural communities across West Virginia. It’s projects like this one that brings our agency one step closer to our goal of improving the quality of life for rural residents across the State.”
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $172 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
Further information on USDA Rural Development may be obtained by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. In West Virginia, call 1-800-295-8228 to be put in touch with the appropriate personnel serving your county. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202.720.2600 (voice and TDD).