United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for South Dakota Julie Gross today announced more than $12.3 million in investments to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure for 7,113 rural South Dakota residents.
“Water infrastructure provides a foundation for economic prosperity in rural communities,” Gross said. “Embracing innovation with our partners ensures rural South Dakotans have the infrastructure to thrive.”
Nationwide, USDA is working with local partners to provide financing for 49 water and environmental infrastructure projects. The funding is being provided through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
Eligible communities and water districts can apply online on the interactive RD Apply tool or through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.
Below is an investment USDA is making in South Dakota:
- South Lincoln Rural Water System Inc. in Beresford is receiving a $12,392,000 loan to build a water treatment plant, improve small diameter pipe looping, and improve the main line. The project will improve water quality and water delivery for the system's 7,113 customers. The project also will help ensure the system has the capacity to support future growth.
USDA is making investments in rural communities in: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
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.