LINCOLN, Neb., Dec. 27, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director for Nebraska Joan Scheel today announced that USDA is investing $9.7 million in rural and Tribal communities across rural Nebraska to expand access to safe drinking water and waste water disposal.
“We know that to build strong communities we must be devoted to the health and safety of their people,” Scheel said. “The investments announced today will build urgently needed and enhanced infrastructure that will provide safe water and sanitation use to meet needs for the people of Nebraska.”
More than 200 projects are being financed to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure in rural places, growing the American economy from the middle out and bottom up. This includes four projects right here in Nebraska.
Strengthening Rural Water Infrastructure
USDA is investing nearly $642 million today to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal, and storm water drainage for people in 41 states.
The Department is making the investments in Nebraska through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program.
The agency is helping state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build or improve rural wastewater systems.
In Nebraska:
- The Village of Barneston will receive a loan in the amount of $570,000 to make improvements to their existing wastewater system. The project will replace their existing lift system, which is at the end of its lifecycle putting the Village at risk of being unable to get wastewater flows to the lagoon. Water meters will also be installed to facilitate accurate usage records and billing.
- The Village of Swanton will receive a loan in the amount of $189,000 and a grant of $525,000 to replace a well that is no longer in service due to high nitrates that exceed state limits. The new well will be placed on one acre of newly purchased land, with new meter reading equipment and a well house. This project will ensure all 94 village residents have a safe water source and will promote water conservation practices.
- The City of McCook will receive a loan of nearly $7.5 million to improve the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Built in 1950 and unable to meet upcoming state standards regarding ammonia, the treatment facility can no longer continue in its current state. This project will also help to extend the collections system by approximately one mile to reduce the likelihood of bypass, overflows, and backups.
- The Santee Sioux Nation will receive a $1 million grant to make improvements to their solid waste facility. The new facility will have a loading area with two garage doors to allow drive through and a self-contained compactor. The new facility will also have an office, bathroom, and garage area for garbage trucks. This project will allow better traffic flow and access to the new solid waste treatment site and improve the health and sanitary conditions for this service area
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
Contact USDA Rural Development in Nebraska
Information on programs administered through USDA Rural Development in Nebraska is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/ne, contacting your local Rural Development office, or by following @RD_Nebraska on X.
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Rural Development offices in Nebraska: https://tinyurl.com/yc7pfytn
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