Projects Will Improve Rural Water Infrastructure for Rural Residents and Businesses
GAINESVILLE, Oct. 27, 2020 – The Trump Administration along with Florida / U.S. Virgin Islands State Director Phil Leary today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing over $9.1 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in rural Florida.
“Providing safe drinking water to our rural areas continues to be a top priority here at Rural Development,” State Director Phil Leary said. “The Trump administration long ago made rural America a priority, and this funding allows for improvements to our communities and economies here in rural Florida and throughout America. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Today’s announcement includes 220 projects that will help improve rural water infrastructure for 787,000 residents. The projects are being funded through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
Background:
The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
For example, as part of today’s announcement:
- Ocala East Villas Inc. will utilize funds to connect its wastewater system to the Marion County wastewater system. The project consists of a pump station, 1,600 linear feet of force main to connect to the county wastewater system, and other associated work. The wastewater system provides service to 486 customers.
These USDA investments are going to Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
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.
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