U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Jeff Case today announced USDA is awarding a $300,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan for improvements to the city of Mansfield’s water system.
“Safe, clean, reliable drinking water is something most of us take for granted,” said Case. “However, community leaders must be ever mindful of delivering this vital resource to their citizens. USDA commends the city of Mansfield for making improvements to its water system, ensuring citizens continue to have a reliable source of safe, clean water.”
The city of Mansfield’s water system is aging and experiencing high water loss. Improvements will correct this issue and add a second storage tank, allowing for easier maintenance and backup storage. Mansfield provides water and sewer service to nearly 1,300 customers. This loan provides the additional funding needed to complete the improvement project. Previous funding includes a $986,000 USDA Rural Development loan, a $981,000 USDA Rural Development grant, a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and $180,650 from the city.
Today’s announcement dovetails a larger, nationwide announcement from Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley in which he said USDA is investing in 40 projects in 20 states to improve rural water infrastructure. USDA is investing $82 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems. The projects must be in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
“These investments will have a far-reaching, positive impact on rural residents, businesses and communities,” Baxley said. “Improving water and wastewater infrastructure enhances quality of life, helps support economic development and ensures that rural areas have safe and abundant water supplies.”
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.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo or by calling (573) 876-0976.
USDA Rural Development has 24 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a State Office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.