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Trump Administration Invests $13.7 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Illinois Rural Communities

Name
Chris Hart
Phone
City
Champaign
Release Date

Illinois State Director Douglas Wilson today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $13.7 million to modernize critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in rural Illinois towns and cities.

"These projects reflect how Rural Development can assist communities and rural residents in achieving safe and plentiful water supplies," Wilson said. These communities and coops are making long term investments for the customers they serve, which will pay dividends for years to come. Rural Development stands ready to help communities across the state with our water and environmental programs."

Background:

USDA is funding 5 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant  Program. These investments will benefit hundreds of rural Illinois residents. The following are examples of projects being funded under today’s announcement.

  • The City of Beardstown will use a $2.9 million loan and $826,000 grant to repair or replace sewer collection mains with sustained damage from flooding and purchase a collection of system maintenance equipment. The collection system consists of eight Lift Stations, 12,550 linear feet of force mains, 137,000 linear feet of gravity sewer main, and 417 sanitary sewer utility holes. These improvements will address the immediate needs within the collection system where streets are collapsing, and sewer mains are failing and alleviate a health and sanitary hazard. 
  • The City of Pana will use a $1 million loan and a $600,000 grant to construct 11 miles of 4-inch and 6-inch water line to serve additional users that reside around Pana Lake. This project will alleviate a health and sanitary issue that exists due to individual contaminated wells currently being utilized. The project will be funded with Strategic Economic and Community Development funds due to the project being included in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Plan, which covers Christian and Shelby Counties and will benefit users in a multi-jurisdictional area.
  • The Village of Brocton will use a $676,000 loan and a $28,000 grant or water system improvements. The Village's water system is nearly 70 years old and has reached its useful life. This project will replace the water main, hydrants, service meters, and associated miscellaneous appurtenances. These improvements will eliminate health and sanitary concerns. These ensure that the Village can continue providing safe potable water to its 322 residents in Edgar County, Illinois.
  • EJ Water Cooperative, Incorporated will use a $6.4 Million loan and an $889,00 grant for multi-phase projects in multiple counties throughout Illinois. These projects will construct a new water tower, booster station, 4", 6" and 8" water distribution lines, 49 miles of water main, the abandoned Shumway elevated water storage tank demolition and, the acquisition of a portion of the Village of Findlay water tower. They plan to relocate a pump station, replace 26 residential meters outside the Village of Strasburg corporate limits, repaint an existing water storage tank, and install a new master meter along with associated appurtenances. These projects will alleviate health and sanitary issues due to low water pressure within the system, private contaminated wells, and the previous Findley water tower. It will also provide potable water to users in the area.
  • The Village of Elliott will use a $377,000 loan for water system improvements for the village of Elliot. The Villages existing water system has reached its useful life and in need of renovations. Repairs include a new water-main, hydrants, meters, and other appurtenances. These water system improvements will also eliminate health and sanitary concerns and provide safe potable water to all users. This project will serve 295 residents in Ford County.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/Il.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.