U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Michigan State Director Dom Restuccia today announced a $2.68 million loan for water improvements in Michigan’s Thumb.
“This is a generational investment for Harbor Beach and demonstrates how USDA is working for rural communities across all of Michigan,” said Restuccia. “Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, we are making historic investments in community infrastructure, providing for safe drinking water while protecting the environment.”
The City of Harbor Beach, in Huron County, will use the funds to replace aging water main lines and increase the diameter of the pipes, which will improve the capacity, safety and reliability of the system. Additionally, the project will replace water service lines specifically targeting the elimination of any lead components in the existing infrastructure. The total cost for the improvements is $8.3 million. The project will protect the public health of the city's 951 residential and 135 commercial customers, effectively removing potential sources of lead contamination from the community's water supply.
USDA is administering the funding through Rural Development’s Water and Wastewater Environmental Programs. The Water and Wastewater Disposal program helps rural communities fund clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to rural households and businesses.
These investments strengthen critical community infrastructure, enhance quality of life, and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/mi.