Illinois State Director of Rural Development Douglas Wilson today announced that USDA is investing in three projects in Illinois to improve rural water infrastructure.
“The investments made by Illinois USDA Rural Development will allow expansion and improvement to existing water systems within the state,” Wilson said. “Through these projects suppliers can ensure the areas they serve will continue to have safe, high quality and plentiful water available.”
USDA is investing $2.5 million 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. 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 examples of projects in Illinois:
- Fort Massac Water District is receiving a $1.2 million loan to upsize seven miles of waterline. This increase will improve flow and functionality of the water system, which provides service to 2,395 users in parts of Massac, Pope and Pulaski counties.
- The city of Gillespie is receiving a $600 thousand loan and a $400 thousand grant to renovate 25 miles of 6-inch and 8-inch PVC water mains throughout the cities of Gillespie and East Gillespie. In addition, the investment will be used to repair the spillway and replace 1,743 residential meters. This project will alleviate a health hazard and will provide potable water to more than 1,700 households. Previous funding includes a $10 million Rural Development loan and grant combination.
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.