USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode today celebrated Earth Day by announcing a Water and Waste Disposal loan and grant totaling more than $7.4 Million to help the City of McEwen replace and rehabilitate their wastewater treatment plant and collection system.
“The environment will benefit from a cleaner receiving stream and elimination of overflow events, the economy benefits by providing jobs, and the citizens of McEwen benefit by investing in a water and waste disposal system that meets State quality standards and will provide capacity for expansion,” said Goode.
USDA is providing the funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects through Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program (WEP).
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $112 Million in loans and grants to help rural communities build and upgrade their infrastructure systems across the nation. “This year’s Earth Day celebrations remind us of the important role each person can play to help protect our environment,” Vilsack said. “Communities across the nation are hosting events to increase awareness of environmental issues.”
Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about what individuals can do to protect vital natural resources and safeguard the environment. Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the event has greatly expanded. Today, citizens and governments in more than 195 countries participate in Earth Day events.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.
USDA Rural Development is moving investments to rural America with housing, business and infrastructure loans and grants to create jobs and strengthen rural economies with an emphasis to assist areas of persistent poverty. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses in 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing more than $5.4 Billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs available in middle Tennessee contact the Nashville Area Office at (615) 783-1359 or (800) 342-3149 x 1359. Visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.