Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is investing $1.2 billion to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure for 936,000 rural Americans living in 46 states.
“Access to water is a key driver for economic opportunity and quality of life in rural communities,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in building prosperity through modern water infrastructure.”
“Investing in infrastructure benefits the rural economy and the well-being of our environment for future generations to enjoy,” said USDA Rural Development State Director for Maryland and Delaware Denise Lovelady. “Rural Development’s programs are designed to help rural communities address their infrastructure needs and forge a path towards greater prosperity.”
USDA is providing financing for 234 water and environmental infrastructure projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The funding can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
Eligible communities and water districts can apply online on the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.
Below are some examples of the investments USDA is making in Maryland:
- The Somerset County Sanitary District, Inc. will receive a $83,000 loan and $2,970,000 grant to construct a wastewater treatment plant for the Smith Island communities of Ewell, Rhodes Point and Tylerton. The new plant will be better suited to the island’s environmental conditions. Additional funding for this project includes an existing $30,000 USDA SEARCH Grant, a $6,117,341 investment from the State of Maryland, and an applicant contribution of $61,941.
- Worcester County will use a $170,000 loan and $80,000 grant to cover a cost over-run to construct a pipeline from the recently upgraded Mystic Harbor wastewater treatment facility. The project will connect the system to the West Ocean City wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for excess disposal during the summer and in the winter months when spray is not available.
- Crisfield, Maryland will receive a $1,293,000 loan to upgrade and repair wastewater facilities at the Cove Street Pump Station, the Rubberset Pump Station, and a portion of the Route 413 sewer main.
- Queenstown, Maryland is receiving a $1,828,000 loan and $1,358,000 grant to make improvements to its water system. Funds will help construct a new water tower and new water main lines. The existing water tower will be replaced, the disinfection system will be upgraded, and a new well and treatment facility will be built.
- The Town of Trappe will use a $1,376,000 loan and $599,500 grant to repair two pump stations, replace three pump stations, abandon two pump stations, and reroute gravity lines associated with their wastewater treatment facility.
- The Town of Oxford use a $493,000 loan and $1,735,000 grant to cover additional costs related to upgrading their wastewater treatment plant.
USDA is making investments in rural communities in: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
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 services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.