Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $267 million in 103 infrastructure projects to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities. Texas State Director Edd Hargett reported that 3 of those projects were in Texas with investments totaling over $3.6 million.
“Having safe and reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to the health of rural communities,” said Hargett. “Today’s announcement provides funding that will help rural areas keep pace with the needs of their rising populations.”
The loans and grants announced today are being awarded through Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The funds can be used to finance drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
Below are some examples of USDA’s partnerships in water infrastructure:
- The Town of Buffalo Gap will use a loan of $2,885,000 for water line improvements. Through an Inter-local Agreement, the cost of the improvements will be shared between the town of Buffalo Gap, Tuscola-Taylor County WCID No. 1, and the city of Lawn. The improvements allow for the three communities to continue providing quality potable water to the residence and businesses. Buffalo Gap has a population of 1,234.
- The Knox County Rural Water Supply Corporation received a loan of $100,000 to construct a domestic water system to rural area residents. The project includes installation of approximately 81 miles of water line, a storage tank and two pump stations. Total population of the service area is 432. This is in addition to previous funds received in FY 2013 for the same project.
- The Moore Station Water Supply Corporation will use a loan of $559,000, along with a grant of $153,400 to construct a new 100,000 gallon elevated storage tank and demolish the existing standpipe which is aged and has holes in the roof causing unsanitary storage conditions. The current elevated storage at the South Plant is not adequate for the number of connections even with alternate capacity requirements. The WSC is located in Henderson County, Texas and upon completion this project will benefit the 588 residents served by this system.
In FY 2018, Congress provided a historic level of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. The 2018 Omnibus spending bill includes $5.2 billion for USDA loans and grants, up from $1.2 billion in FY 2017. It also directs Agriculture Secretary Perdue to make investments in rural communities with the greatest infrastructure needs.
Rural community leaders can apply for these funds electronically by using the interactive RD Apply tool. They can also apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.
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 services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.