USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode announced a Rural Business Development Grant today that will help with essential repairs needed for the sewage pumping station that serves the business district of Chapel Hill.
“This grant will help improve critical infrastructure necessary for economic opportunity and growth,” Goode said. “By investing in rural businesses, we strengthen our rural communities.”
As a recipient of a RBDG, the Town of Chapel Hill received $60,000 to assist with the emergency replacement of the primary lift station for the town’s business district. The lift station currently operates with a temporary, diesel-powered pump which is not designed for long-term, consistent use.
Reliable lift stations and wastewater pumping facilities are among the most important public assets the town has that serves existing businesses. A non-properly working sewage system could have a huge economic impact on the current 46 businesses and 20 potential businesses that rely upon it.
RBDG is designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas.
Others participating in the event include Representative for Congressman Scott DesJarlais Becky Moon, State Senator Jim Tracy, Marshall County Mayor Joe Boyd Liggett, Aldermen Marion Joyce and Dottie Morton, Chapel Hill Town Administrator Mark Graves, South Central Tennessee Development District Community Development Specialist Lisa Cross, Marshall County Joint Economic and Community Development Executive Director Mike Wiles, USDA RD Assistant to the State Director Harriet Cannon, Area Director Faye McEwen and Area Specialist Susan Shuff.
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 South Central Tennessee contact the Lawrenceburg Area Office at 931-762-6913 x 4, or 800-342-3149 x 1494. Visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.