Trump Administration Invests $7.2 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Minnesota Communities
Funding will Improve Rural Water Infrastructure for 1,207 Rural Americans
ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 10, 2020 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Brad Finstad today announced $7.2 million to modernize critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure serving more than 1,200 rural Minnesotans.
“Safe drinking water is not a luxury; it’s essential to the health and safety of all communities,” Finstad said. “Today’s investments will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to the partnerships with rural communities that help make these investments a reality. Because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Background:
The Red Lake Band of Chippewa will use a $373,000 loan and a $2 million grant to improve the water, wastewater, and storm sewer systems serving the Northeast Area Housing Development on the Red Lake tribal reservation. The 54 homes within the development are connected to an untreated water system with poor quality drinking water and low pressure. Project funds will help install complete sewer system infrastructure that connects all 54 homes to the Red Lake sewer system, make improvements to existing water infrastructure that eliminates flow stagnation, extend existing storm sewer infrastructure to improve surface water drainage within the housing development.
The city of Prinsburg will use a $700,000 loan and a $70,000 grant to replace deteriorating watermain infrastructure, gate valves and hydrants within areas of the city where county and state construction projects are taking place streamline improvements. Existing infrastructure was installed in 1979 and is experiencing numerous leaks, causing the city to shut off water altogether in various areas of the city.
In Borup, MN, the city is using a $720,000 loan and a $1.2 million grant to construct 6,000 square feet of wastewater collection piping, replace the existing lift station, and upgrade the primary and secondary treatment ponds address large amounts of inflow, infiltration and seepage problems that have caused health and safety concerns. Additionally, project funds will help replace the water reservoir with an 8,000-gallon reservoir, install a new pressure tank, fluoride injection system and new controls, and rehabilitate two existing water wells to ensure safe, reliable drinking water for the city’s 110 residents.
The city of Murdock will use a $1.5 million loan and a $655,000 grant to replace two groundwater wells constructed in 1946 and 1974, replace the water tower that was built in 1938 with a 50,000-gallon tower, replace breaking water mains constructed in 1986 and 1997, construct a water treatment facility and install new water meters.
Today’s investments are in coordination with the Trump Administration’s recent announcement that USDA is investing $462 million, through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, to improve rural water infrastructure for 467,000 rural Americans in 44 states, including: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
To learn more about investment resources for rural water infrastructure, contact your local USDA Rural Development area office in Minnesota.
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/mn.
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