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 in 46 states.
“These investments will create economic prosperity, improve the delivery of safe drinking water, and help safeguard public health by modernizing waste disposal infrastructure in rural communities,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA’s partnerships with local officials and businesses help improve the quality of life and strengthen rural communities.”
USDA is providing financing for 235 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.
In West Virginia, the Midland Public Service District and the City of Milton are receiving funding. Speaking of the projects, USDA Rural Development West Virginia State Director Kris Warner said, “We are pleased to assist the Midland Public Service District and the City of Milton through the Water and Environmental Loan and Grant programs.” He went on to add, “Access to a safe and clean supply of drinking water is essential for everyone, not just those living in urban areas. These projects will support long-term economic viability and a strong qualify of life for residents of these rural communities in Cabell and Randolph counties.”
Below are details of the two investments USDA is making in West Virginia:
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The City of Milton (Cabell County) is receiving $5,800,000 in loan funds and $2,100,000 in grant funds. This Rural Development investment will be used a finance an improvement project of their existing sanitary sewer collection system to reduce infiltration and inflow, reroute force mains, add another lift station to pump to the Salt Rock Public Service District and create capacity for future growth within and around the City of Milton. This project will serve approximately 1,951 residential customers and 3 businesses.
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The Midland Public Service District (Randolph County) is receiving a $600,000 loan and $520,000 grant to make public water service available to 132 households in areas that currently have poor, undependable water wells. Another 8 households will recognize improved service as a result of this project. The project includes approximately 13.5 miles of various sizes of waterline that will be installed in Shavers Fork, Evans Road, Chenoweth Creek, Skyview Subdivision, Kelley Mountain Road and Poe Run Road. These extensions will include a 100,000-gallon tank, a booster station, seven pressure-reducing stations, and some improvements at the master meter connection to the Elkins water system. In total, this project will serve 1,348 residences and 163 businesses.
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.
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.
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.