The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office in Virginia today announced it has approved a $6.3 million low-interest loan for The Town of Bowling Green that will be used to make improvements to the town’s sewer collection system.
“Our water and wastewater loan and grant programs empower counties and towns across Virginia to make improvements and to grow their communities,” said Janice Stroud-Bickes, Virginia’s acting USDA Rural Development State Director. “Ensuring that critical infrastructure is up to date and safe for the community improves economic development prospects and the overall quality of life in the service area.”
Collection lines in the existing system are severely deteriorated and create excessive leaks, overflows and blockages, which in turn produce health hazards. Planned improvements are expected to correct the health hazards.
Construction will include the replacement of approximately one mile of collection lines, as well as the repair/replacement of manholes. Project costs also include funds to refinance an existing debt, thereby improving the financial operations of the sewer system. The system serves approximately 500 residential and 80 commercial users.
USDA funds for the project were made available through the department’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, which provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal and storm water drainage.
Bowling Green previously was approved for a $30,000 USDA Rural Development Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant. SEARCH Grants rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design assistance, and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.
In 2015, USDA Rural Development invested more than $35 million in Virginia through 32 water infrastructure loans and grants.
USDA Rural Development in 2015 invested more than $1 billion in rural Virginia through 40 loan, grant and loan guarantee programs in housing, business, agriculture, energy, health care and community facilities. It has employees stationed in 14 offices across the commonwealth to better serve residents where they live and to improve the economy and quality of life in rural Virginia.