The Village of Gresham marked the completion of renovations and upgrades to the Village’s Wastewater Treatment facility with a community celebration and open house event.
Area residents joined Village Leaders; and Federal, State, and Local Officials for an open house event marking the completion of the construction and commencing of operation of the Village’s new treatment facility.
“The Village of Gresham works very diligently to be a proactive utility provider. Improving our utility to meet the regulatory requirements and the needs of our customers is a priority,” said Art Bahr, Gresham Municipal Utilities Manager, “Without the assistance of grants and loans from organizations like the USDA, projects like ours would not be attainable.”
The project was made possible with the help of USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Program financing totaling nearly $667,000.
USDA Rural Development Wisconsin Community Program Director, Brian Deaner noted infrastructure projects like these directly tie into the sustainability and viability of communities.
The Village currently operates a continuous discharge aerated lagoon treatment facility. The Wisconsin DNR has established water quality limits that the lagoon process was not capable of meeting. The upgrades will ensure that the wastewater treatment facility is in compliance with the new permit standards and enable future growth within the community.
“The Village deserves a lot of credit. Developing and maintaining a modern infrastructure is essential for the sustainability of our communities,” said Deaner. “People choose to live in rural Wisconsin for the quality of life it offers, and reliable infrastructure plays a big part. This project exemplifies a continued effort on behalf of USDA Rural Development’s mission to be a partner in helping rural communities, by providing the assistance needed to build a foundation for a thriving community. We are pleased to have been a part of the project and the positive impact it will have on the community.”
USDA Rural Development approved two loans totaling $371,000, while two grants provided an additional $295,860 to modify the treatment facility with additional treatment processes to meet the effluent limit requirements.
The Water and Environmental Program provides loans and grants to ensure that necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas. Recipients of the funding may build, repair, and improve public water systems, and waste collection and treatment systems in rural communities with up to 10,000 in population.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As the lead federal agency for rural development needs, USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, infrastructure, community development, health, education, homeownership and affordable rental housing to improve the lives of people in rural areas and the economic health of rural communities. During the last year, the agency has assisted nearly 9,000 families and businesses in more than 100 communities, investing more than $838 million into rural Wisconsin through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting the web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his 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.