Montana State Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Charles Robison today announced that USDA is investing $12.58 million to improve the City of Belgrade wastewater system. USDA is funding the project through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
“Belgrade is one of the faster growing rural communities in Montana, creating the need for an upgraded wastewater system,” Robison said. “The Trump Administration has made robust rural infrastructure a priority, and when rural Montana prospers, all of Montana prospers.”
USDA Rural Development has awarded a $1.68 million grant and $10.9 million loan to the City of Belgrade to finance significant improvements to the town’s wastewater system capacity. The improvements will consist of the construction of a new sewer main allowing for waste collection and transportation to the treatment site. Belgrade is expected to grow at a rate of 3.5% per year between now and the year 2038. The City is investing $420,000 in the project, and is also working with the State of Montana’s State Revolving Fund loan program on a financing package for the wastewater system. Details of that financing will be available after final bids are awarded for engineering and construction.
Eligible applicants include rural cities, towns and water districts. The funds can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities that meet population limits. View the interactive RD Apply tool or contact a Montana USDA Rural Development office for application or eligibility information.
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 facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.