Investments will Benefit over 5,500 Rural Alabamians
Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is investing in 40 projects in 20 states to improve rural water infrastructure. According to USDA Rural Development State Director Chris Beeker, this investment includes six projects in rural Alabama.
“This is great news for rural Alabama,” Beeker said. “These investments will improve water and wastewater infrastructure, enhance the quality of life and support economic development for our rural communities.”
USDA is investing $82 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Over $17 million will be invested in Alabama. 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.
View the interactive RD Apply tool or contact one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices for application or eligibility information.
USDA is announcing investments today in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
Below are some examples in Alabama:
- The town of Loxley, Ala., is receiving a $4.8 million loan and a $4.7 million grant to improve its wastewater system and help prevent overflow from the treatment plant into the Corn Branch tributary during heavy rains.
- The city of Clio, Ala, is receiving a $126,000 loan and a $355,000 grant to upgrade their 40-year-old sewer treatment plant to meet environmental discharge requirements.
- The Water Works and Sewer Board of the Town of Hurtsboro, Ala is receiving a $411,000 loan and a $332,000 grant to upgrade their 30-year-old sewer system. This project includes replacing outdated pumps, pump housing and collection lines.
- South Marengo County Water & Fire Protection Authority, Ala is receiving a $123,000 loan to continue replacing water lines to improve water pressure to the residents.
- The town of Autaugaville, Ala, is receiving a $100,000 loan and a $300,000 grant to continue improvements to the wastewater treatment facility and add service to several new residential customers.
- Clay County Water Authority, Ala is receiving a $2,973,000 loan and a $3,388,000 grant to continue an expansion project to provide safe, affordable drinking water to the residents.
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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.