After years of uncertainty as to whether it was safe to drink their water or if there would be enough, residents in rural Henry County in West Tennessee joined USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode and local, state and federal officials to celebrate as Springville Utility District (SUD) reaches another major milestone with the completion of their new water tower. The tank will hold 150,000 gallons and at the current rate of consumption will provide a 5 day supply of water. In addition, SUD has begun the process to add 4 miles of water line to serve the Lakeview Manor area, and sections of Winsett Road, Copeland Road and Elkhorn Road. The project is estimated to be completed in early summer.
“Today’s celebration provides an opportunity to remember and to thank those that worked diligently to bring clean, potable water to this community,” said Goode. “We congratulate Springville Utility District, and dedicate this day to Amon Carter Evans who worked tirelessly to bring safe, reliable water to their customers.” Mr. Evans served as president of Springville Utility District Board until his death in 2011 alongside Keith Cheek, Lowell Wilson, Mary Warren, and James Webb.
USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provided $2,788,500 combined with funding from Delta Regional Authority (DRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the State of Tennessee, Springville Utility District (SUD), and Sandy Beach Water Association to construct almost 30 miles of water distribution lines and the new water tank that is now providing families and businesses in Eastern Henry County the security most Americans take for granted.
Others participating in the event included Senator Lamar Alexander's Field Representative Matt Varino, Congressman Steven Fincher’s Field Representative Heather Waggoner, Henry County Mayor Brent Greer, Henry County Commissioners, SUD President Lowell Wilson, SUD Secretary Scott Steele, SUD Board Member Eddie Martin, Former County Commissioner Mary Warren, Office Manager Denise Evans, TAUD Circuit Rider Tony Wyatt, SUD Engineer Gresham Smith & Partners-Ken Stewart, SUD Engineer Jacobs Engineering - Jason Griffin, Paris Board of Public Utilities Terry Wimberly, South Paris Water Cooperative Manager Richard Hudson, and USDA RD Area Director Harriet Cannon and staff.
USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, infrastructure, community development, homeownership and affordable rental housing to improve the economic health of rural communities. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million families and businesses in over 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee investing more than $5.4 Billion into local economies through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.
For more information on Rural Development programs available in northwest Tennessee contact the Rural Development Area Office in Union City at 731-885-6480 ext. 4, toll free at 800-342-3149 ext. 1497 or visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/tn.