U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Jeff Case today announced that USDA is investing over $7.5 million in three rural Missouri communities to improve vital water and wastewater infrastructure. Over 2,000 rural Missourians in Jonesburg, Marston, and Grant City will benefit from the funding.
“Access to clean, safe drinking water and reliable, modern wastewater treatment is a necessity to every community whether large or small,” said Case. “USDA commends the officials of Jonesburg, Marston, and Grant City for being proactive regarding their citizens’ needs. We are pleased to partner with these communities to improve water and wastewater infrastructure.”
USDA is making the investments through Rural Development’s 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.
Case announced the following communities will receive funding:
- The city of Jonesburg will use a $2,485,000 loan and $1,729,500 grant to make improvements to the city's aging wastewater system. The current two-cell aerated treatment lagoon no longer meets the needs of the city and will be unable to meet future ammonia limit requirements. Planned improvements include a new treatment system, rehabilitation of sewer lines, repair of the lift stations, and new pumps and controls.
- The city of Grant City will use a $2,229,000 loan and $290,900 grant to improve the city's aging wastewater treatment and collection system. Grant City's wastewater treatment lagoon no longer meets the needs of the city and will soon exceed maximum allowable ammonia limits. This project will add ultraviolet disinfection to the lagoon, ensure ammonia limits are compliant, and make improvements to the city's collection system.
- The city of Marston will receive a $481,000 loan and $351,700 grant to repair and improve the city's two water storage tanks. Improvements include repainting, remediation of internal corrosion, and updates to the access ladder. This project will ensure the safety of city personnel and continued access to clean, safe water for Marston's residents.
Today’s announcement came as part of a larger statement Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley announced that USDA is investing $192 million in 71 projects located across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure.
“President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue were very clear when they directed Rural Development to identify and meet rural water needs as a foundational pillar in improving rural infrastructure,” Baxley said. “Safe and reliable water infrastructure is critical to the health, safety and economic vitality of rural America. Without access to safe water and functional wastewater treatment, sustainable growth in rural areas is not possible.”
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.
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.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo or by calling (573) 876-0976.
USDA Rural Development has 24 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a State Office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.