ST. PAUL, Minn., July 8, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development in Minnesota Cynthia Morales today announced nearly $10.4 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in six Minnesota communities.
“Safe, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is an essential part to the success of rural America, especially remote areas with diverse geography and populations,” Morales said. “Today’s investments contribute to building a stronger tomorrow. USDA is committed to its community partnerships to help make sure this happens.”
USDA is financing the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The investments will help eliminate outdated pipes and service lines to safeguard public health and safety in rural communities. They will improve rural infrastructure for 17,550 residents and businesses.
For example, as part of today’s announcement:
- The Red Rock Rural Water System in southwestern Minnesota is receiving a $905,000 loan and a $445,000 grant to build a water treatment plant in Great Bend. It will also build an onsite ground storage reservoir and replace outdated control equipment. These improvements will help provide safe drinking water for nearly 16,000 residents.
- The city of Cromwell is receiving a $754,000 loan and a $600,000 grant to make improvements to existing water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure. Improvements will help to replace cracked piping, repair 45 manholes, construct a new force main lift station, loop the water system in with the distribution system and replace old water meters. These improvements will benefit 234 residents.
- The city of Russell is receiving a $369,000 loan and a $552,000 grant to replace an 80-year-old water tower that’s in poor condition and was painted using lead-based paint. The existing water distribution system will be replaced as well as the metering station to address the 50 percent water loss due to deterioration. These improvements will benefit 382 residents.
- The city of Cosmos is receiving a $4.5 million loan and a $863,000 grant to complete the first phase of a multi-phase project to improve the city’s existing water distribution, sanitary sewer collection and stormwater drainage systems throughout the northern half of the city. Improvements will benefit 495 residents.
- The city of Murdock is receiving a $20,000 grant to conduct a Preliminary Engineering Report and an Environmental Report to assess the improvements needed for the municipal water system.
- The city of Wood Lake is receiving a $664,000 loan and a $635,000 grant to make improvements to the water, wastewater and storm sewer systems and address excess levels of lead and copper infiltration due to deteriorated infrastructure. Improvements will benefit 439 residents.
Today’s investments are in coordination with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s recent announcement that the USDA is investing $307 million for water, wastewater and storm sewer infrastructure projects in 34 states and Puerto Rico: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Puerto Rico.
Background:
The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage. The program serves households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
To learn more about these and other resources for rural areas, contact a local USDA Rural Development office.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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