U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USDA Invests in Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for the City of Barrett

Name
Nikki Gillespie
City
ST. PAUL
Release Date

Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Brad Finstad today announced $4.6 million to improve and expand existing water and wastewater infrastructure for the city of Barrett.

   “Access to safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater disposal is foundational for economic prosperity,” Finstad said. “These projects help small, rural communities like the city of Barrett identify and meet their infrastructure needs affordably, in order to ensure sustainable growth for years to come.”

   The city of Barrett will receive a $2.7 million loan and $1,949,000 grant to update their existing water system by replacing asbestos cement piping and water meters past their useful life, as well as making essential improvements to the water treatment plant. Additionally, 11,400 feet of sanitary sewer line is to be replaced, along with the installation of new sewer mains and manholes. Three thousand linear feet will be added to the storm sewer system.

   Finstad’s announcement is in coordination with the recent nationwide announcement by Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is investing $192 million in 71 projects located across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

   USDA is making the $192 million investment through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

   Below are some examples of investments made in other states:

  • The city of Apalachicola, Fla., population 2,238, is receiving a $474,000 loan and a $1.2 million grant to improve the central water system treatment facility. The filtration processes will be upgraded to reduce the level of disinfection byproducts in the treated water. The system serves 1,463 customers.
     
  • The city of Sigourney, Iowa, population 2,059, is receiving a $3.9 million loan to update its wastewater treatment system. The city will purchase a back-up generator, install a new aeration system and construct a submerged, activated growth reactor system. These improvements will enable the system to meet new ammonia limits set by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 
     
  • Mullan, Idaho, population 783, is receiving a $1.2 million loan and a $393,000 grant to upgrade 14,500 feet of mainline sewers and replace or rehabilitate 103 manholes. This project will improve the environment by eliminating bypasses and untreated wastewater. It also will prevent sinkholes and eliminate hazards to which city crews are exposed when they repair deficient manholes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing $1 million in additional funding, along with $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and $30,000 from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

   Congress appropriated $2.9 billion for USDA Water and Environmental Program loans and grants in fiscal year 2019. USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks.

   View the interactive RD Apply tool or contact your local Area Specialist for application or eligibility information.

   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/mn.