USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode announced a Water and Environmental Program investment that will assist the Mooresburg Utility District with its recently procured bids for the Water Line Extension Project today at Slate Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Hawkins County.
USDA RD granted the Mooresburg UD with $899,500 and a total loan of $1,274,000 in addition to Mooresburg UD’s contribution of $76,500 to fund the project. The Water Line Extension Project involves the construction of approximately 23 thousand feet of 6-inch and smaller diameter pipeline, installation of one pressure reducing station and providing 50 public water service connections to residents, churches and businesses along County Line, Morrison, Repass and Slate Hill Road near Cherokee Lake.
The construction contract was awarded to Mike Smith Pump Service LLC of Bean Station, Tenn., and construction started on June 23, 2015. The work is expected to be complete within 180 days.
Vaughn and Melton Consulting Engineers Inc. of Gray, Tenn. was responsible for the project design and will perform the construction engineering inspection and administration services.
Others participating in the event include Hawkins County Mayor Melville Bailey, Mooresburg UD President Robbie Drinnon, Mike Smith Contractor Tim Smith, Vaughn and Melton Project Engineer Andy Miles, USDA RD Assistant State Director Harriet Cannon, USDA RD Area Director Mary Short and USDA Area Specialist Louis J. Trivette.
USDA Rural Development is moving investments to rural America with housing, business and infrastructure loans and grants to create jobs and strengthen rural economies with an emphasis to assist areas of persistent poverty. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than $1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses in 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing more than $5.4 billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs available in Northeast Tennessee contact the Greeneville Area Office at 423-638-4771 x 4, or 800-342-3149 x 1490. Visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.