Morgantown, WV, Jul 07, 2011 -- State Director Bobby Lewis announces that USDA Rural Development approved a Water and Waste Disposal Loan in the amount of $1,910,000 and a Grant in the amount of $750,000 for Huttonsville Public Service District, Randolph County, WV.

Rural Development funds, leveraged with State funds, will be used to extend public water service to approximately 264 new customers within the Mingo and Valley Head areas of Randolph County. Construction will involve approximately 112,800 linear feet of new waterline, two water storage tanks, and one booster station.

“Residents in the project area currently rely on individual wells that generally produce an insufficient quantity and/or substandard quality of water,” stated Lewis. “This is one more project that helps us meet our mission – To Increase Economic Opportunity and Improve the Quality of Life for all Rural Americans.”

Rural Development serves as the lead Federal entity for rural development needs and administers program assistance through its housing, business, community and infrastructure programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Further information on USDA Rural Development may be obtained by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. In West Virginia, call 1-800-295-8228 to be put in touch with the appropriate personnel serving your county. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202.720.2600 (voice and TDD).

##