Illinois State Director for Rural Development Douglas Wilson today announced that USDA is investing $8.7 million in 4 projects in Illinois to improve rural water infrastructure. USDA is also investing $192 million in 71 projects located across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure.
“The communities that will benefit from these improvements will not only help current residents and businesses, it also helps them prepare for the future” Wilson said. “Rural Development is pleased to have helped bring these projects to reality.”
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 today’s investments:
- Jersey County Rural Water Company, Inc. is using a $4,990,000 loan to upgrade the water company's water distribution system and connect it to the future Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Company. The upgrades include replacing undersized lines to improve flow and pressures by upgrading 3-inch and 4-inch lines with 8-inch lines and some 8-inch lines with 12-inch lines. A 250,000-gallon multi-leg ground storage tank will also be constructed. In addition, the current office/shop building will be expanded to construct a new five-bay garage that will house equipment and materials. These renovations will ultimately improve the water flow within the system and will benefit the system's 18,695 residents.
- The Village of Ludlow is receiving a $940,00 loan and a $1.9 million grant to improve the village’s water system. This project will replace water system equipment and 3,120 linear feet of water main. It will alleviate health and sanitary concerns and provide safe, potable water to 371 residents in Champaign County.
USDA is announcing investments today in 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.
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 one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices 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.