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USDA Partners to Improve Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for Six Communities in North Carolina

Name
Delane Johnson
City
RALEIGH
Release Date

  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 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 North Carolina rural communities:

  • City of Bessemer City, Gaston County will use a $732,000 loan and a $1.5 million grant to complete construction of three new facilities including a new Administration Building, a Materials Storage shed, and an Equipment Storage Building with wash bay as well as improvements to the existing Administrative Facility and landscape.

  • East Moore Water District, Moore County will use a $1.3 million loan and a $1.1 million grant to extend the public water distribution system with 9 and a half miles of new water lines to serve 111 additional residents.

  • Town of Grover, Cleveland County is receiving a $70,000 loan and $141,000 grant for improvements to the town’s water system.The project will benefit 337 residential, 27 commercial, and 12 industrial users by providing a more efficient water service and a more effective operation of the system.

  • Town of Princeton, Johnston County will use a $310,000 loan and a $815,000 grant for improvements to the town’s water and sewer systems.The project will improve service to 616 residential and 84 commercial water customers and 545 residential and 82 commercial sewer customers.

  • Town of Red Springs, Robeson County is receiving a $2.2 million loan and a $4.8 million grant to improve the water treatment plant and distribution system.A membrane treatment system and a monitoring system will be installed to improve service to 206 commercial and 1,447 residential users.

  • Town of Taylortown, Moore County will use a $963,000 loan and $2.6 million grant to rehabilitate the town’s water and sewer systems.Improvements will include replacement of the existing elevated storage tank, well, water meters, 2 pump stations and installation of new water line and an emergency interconnection with Moore County.The project will benefit the town's 380 residential water users as well as 124 residential and 37 commercial sewer users.

   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.

   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/nc