U.S. Dept. of Agriculture State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins today announced $23,416,000 in loans and grants for water and sewer improvements in seven rural Michigan communities.
“These are generational investments in Michigan,” Fewins said. “Combined with last week’s Upper Peninsula projects, USDA has once again demonstrated our willingness to reach the farthest corners of the state in order to help people.”
Today’s announcements are in addition to $8,628,000 in loans and grants for water and sewer improvements in Ironwood and Marquette County announced last week.
The City of Coleman, in Midland County, will use a $1,554,000 loan to replace undersized watermains, improve flow for fire prevention, reduce watermain breaks, and meet maximum day and peak hour demands for 1,262 residents and 78 commercial customers.
The City of Ovid, in Clinton County, will use a $1,531,000 loan to replace six miles of undersized watermains, improving flow for fire prevention and reducing watermain breaks. Two dead-end sections will be looped to prevent mineral build up, bacterial growth and water stagnation, improving water quality for 1,454 residents and 75 businesses.
The City of Standish, in Arenac County, will use a $3,089,000 loan and $2,225,000 grant to rehabilitate structurally deficient gravity sewer mains and manholes, and to improve valves and pumps throughout the system. This project will increase long-term resiliency towards the impacts of climate change by reducing wastewater inflow into the ground surrounding the mains. This project will impact 1,326 rural households.
Standish Township, also in Arenac County, will use a $1,103,000 loan and $3,309,000 grant to complete the sewer connection for the Whites Beach Area along the shores of Lake Huron. This project will correct all issues with the private septic system contaminating the beaches along the lakeshore and providing a more efficient sewer system for 590 residents.
The Village of Kingston, in Tuscola County, will use a $2,346,000 loan and $1,919,000 grant to preserve their aging water distribution system by replacing approximately 12,000 linear feet of undersized and aging pressurized pipes. The installation of eight-inch PVC pipe in place of six-inch cast iron or asbestos cement pipe will increase fire flow reliability and extend the life of almost half of the distribution system by 100 years and will serve 192 users.
The Village of Breckenridge, in Gratiot County, will use a $1,456,000 loan to provide a raw water well, liquid bulk brine tanks with an auto feed system, water meters, and a water tower mixing system. The project will also see the elimination of the remaining old small diameter water mains and dead-end mains to improve water quality and reliability, the elimination of the existing lead service lines, create energy efficiencies at the water treatment plant, and add a new roof over the existing water treatment plant. The project will provide quality, safe and sanitary water to 600 users on their current system and leverage state funds available through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund.
The Dryden Drain District, in Lapeer County, will use a $4,875,000 loan to address seasonal flooding and drainage backups. The project will increase the capacity of the drainage system, reduce overflows during high rain and snowmelt events, and improve stormwater quality.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.