Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is investing $392 million to help rebuild and improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure in 42 states.
“Put simply, modern and reliable water infrastructure is foundational to quality of life and economic development,” Hazlett said. “USDA’s partnerships with rural communities underscore Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s commitment to rural people and the places they call home.”
USDA is supporting investments in 120 infrastructure projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used to finance drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. In many cases, states, other federal partners and nonprofits are working with USDA to also provide funding for these projects.
Hazlett announced the awards here today during the Water Pro Conference hosted by the National Rural Water Association. Below are some examples of the types of investments USDA is making to improve infrastructure in rural communities:
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This Rural Development investment will be used to provide cost overrun funds for repairs and rehabilitation to the supply lines for the Jamestown-Rio Vista connection project to the Town of Green River. The District's water treatment plant has reached the end of its useful life. Funding collaboration for this project includes a Wyoming Water Development Commission grant for $4,288,000 and fiscal year 2016 USDA Rural Development Direct loan of $1,951,000, applicant contribution of $136,000, and connection tap fees of $25,000. More than 200 customers are being assisted with this project.
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This Rural Development investment will be used for the Town of Fort Laramie to improve the water distribution system and purchase related equipment. The project will improve service to 146 households and five other businesses and local government facilities. Additional funding includes a $96,669 Wyoming Business Council grant, and a $90,000 State Lands and Investment Board grant.
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This Rural Development investment will be used for the Town of Fort Laramie to repair failing sewer lines and improve sewage lagoons. An estimated 133 households will benefit. Additional funding includes a $210,000 State Land and Investment Board grant and a $225,560 Wyoming Business Council grant.
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This Rural Development investment will be used for the Town of Greybull to upgrade the sanitary sewer system by replacing clay tile sanitary sewer mains, manholes and upgrade sewer lines. This is the first of three phases to upgrade the sewer system for the 1,847 residents of the town.
USDA is making investments in rural communities in: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansans, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.
In FY 2018, Congress provided a historic level of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. The 2018 Omnibus spending bill includes $5.2 billion for USDA loans and grants, up from $1.8 billion in FY 2017. The bill also directs Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to make investments in rural communities with the greatest infrastructure needs.
Eligible rural communities and water districts can apply online for funding to maintain, modernize or build water and wastewater systems. They can visit the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.
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.