State Director for Rural Development David Branscum today announced that USDA is investing $5.6 million to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure in Arkansas.
“Modernization of water and wastewater infrastructure will increase economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for rural residents,” Branscum said. “The investments are the bases to economic development in rural communities across Arkansas.”
USDA in Arkansas is working with local partners to provide financing for 5 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 are some examples of the investments USDA is making:
• In Arkansas, Lake City will use a $2.3 million loan to modernize its wastewater treatment and collection system, which serves more than 2,000 residents. This project will improve the system’s capacity and reliability.
• The city of Oak Grove Heights will use $166,000 to rehabilitate the lift station, replace the force main and construct an activated sludge treatment facility.
• Pea Ridge is receiving $2.4 million loan to expand the wastewater treatment facility for the city.
• Sulphur Rock is receiving $286,000 to rehabilitate the town’s wastewater treatment system. This project will provide the city with a wastewater system that meets health and sanitary standards.
• The city of Reyno will use $399,000 to rehabilitate water tank and water distribution system. The system serves 456 residents.
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.