Lexington, KY, Oct 11, 2011 -- Federal Agriculture officials will be in Beaver Dam today to highlight the completion of the Ohio County Water District’s new treatment facility.

Thomas G. Fern, State Director for USDA Rural Development, said the majority of the funding for the $21.8 million project was made available though USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental program. The agency provided a low-interest loan in the amount of $13.8 million and a grant for $1.5 million. The water district also received $4 million from the Ohio County Fiscal Court, a $1.5 million Economic Development Authority grant and an applicant contribution of $1 million.

“Rural Development’s support for infrastructure projects reflects our commitment to ensuring rural communities can create jobs, attract businesses and provide essential services to their residents,” said Fern. “The officials with the Ohio County Water District are to be applauded for taking the initiative to ensure they can provide adequate water service to its customers, while also planning for future needs and enhancing their opportunities for economic development.”

The Beaver Dam project included construction of a new treatment facility that doubles the capacity of the old one, increasing production to four million gallons per day. The improvements will bring the system into compliance with Kentucky Division of Water regulations and standards, enabling it to adequately meet the needs of existing customers.

The water district serves approximately 7,500 rural customers with the majority in Ohio County and a smaller customer base in McLean, Daviess, Grayson and Breckinridge counties. Wholesale customers include the cities of Fordsville and Beaver Dam and water districts in McLean and Grayson counties.

Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) provide loans, grants and loan guarantees for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities and towns of 10,000 or less. Public bodies and non-profit organizations may qualify for assistance. Rural Development also makes grants to nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance and training to assist rural communities with their water, wastewater, and solid waste problems. For more information, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWEP_HomePage.html.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and nearly 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).