The communities of Harrison, Bladen and Palisade will benefit from funding announced today by Maxine Moul, Nebraska State Director of USDA Rural Development.
The Village of Harrison is receiving a loan of $996,000 and a grant of $688,000 from the Water and Environmental Program. The funds will be used to construct two new wells including radio control system; transmission main from well field to tank; replace existing 2” and 3” mains with 6” mains; and install water meters. The loan is for 40 years at an interest rate of 2.625 percent. USDA funding is matched by a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
A $332,000 direct loan from the Community Facilities program will help the Palisade Rural Fire District complete construction of a new fire barn. The loan is for 40 years at a 4.375 percent interest rate. Matching funds for the project include $75,000 from the fire district and a previous USDA Rural Development loan of $333,000.
The Village of Bladen is receiving a $677,000 loan and a $502,500 to install Variable Frequency Devices on the existing wells; a backup generator; repair and repaint the water tank; replace some distribution mains and install new water meters. The funds are from the Water and Environmental Program of USDA Rural Development. The loan is for 40 years at an interest rate of 3.5 percent. The Village is contributing $35,000 in matching funds.
Non-USDA funds for the three Nebraska projects total $375,000.
“USDA Rural Development is pleased to be able to help these Nebraska communities provide essential services to their residents. Funding for such projects in Fiscal Year 2014 is available, and communities are encouraged to contact their USDA Rural Development staff for information on funding and the application process,” said Moul.
Community Program specialists and their contact information:
Natalie Furrow, 1202 S. Cottonwood, Ste. 3, North Platte, 69101, 308-534-2360, ext. 1129. Natalie.furrow@ne.usda.gov.
Bert Mues, 4009 6th Ave. Suite 1, Kearney, NE 68845-2386, 308-237-3118, ext. 1128. Bert.mues@ne.usda.gov.
Janice Stopak, 100 Centennial Mall N., Ste. 308, Lincoln, NE 68508, 402-437-5743. Janice.stopak@ne.usda.gov.
Visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne.
For more information contact the Rural Development office nearest you. You can locate an office by visiting: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/NE-ContactUs.html. Visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne for information on all of Rural Development’s programs.
For additional information on RD projects, please visit Rural Development’s new interactive web map featuring program funding and success stories for fiscal years 2009-2012. The data can be found at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RDSuccessStories.html.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.