Reliable water coming to Dutch Creek Road area in Westmoreland
February 26, 2009 - WESTMORELAND, Tenn.—USDA Rural Development Area Director Christopher Westbrook joined Westmoreland Mayor Ricky Woodard, Sumner County Public Works Chairman Paul Goode and other county officials today for the groundbreaking on a public water extension that will serve people along Dutch Creek Road. The announcement was made on the work site at the intersection of Dutch Creek and State Road 174 in Sumner County
"Safe, reliable water is a basic necessity for families, farms and businesses," said Westbrook. "Thanks to the support of our Congressional delegation, Rural Development has the financial resources to help the people of Westmoreland improve the quality of life by extending critical infrastructure to new areas of the county."
A Rural Development grant of $107,000 completes the funding needed for the extension. The county is providing funding of $468,000 and the city $50,000 for the project. The new line will serve about 25 families living in the area now and has the capacity to accommodate future growth.
This area has been hard hit by the drought and wells are no longer providing consistently reliable safe drinking water. Residents have been forced to periodically carry in clean water for their families and livestock. Work on the extension is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
Rural Development’s community programs provide rural areas with financial resources to construct or improve essential services like reliable access to clean water, sewer, healthcare, education, job training and first responder facilities. Loan-guarantees encourage private lenders to expand the availability of affordable financing in rural communities. Direct loans and grants create sound financial opportunities for local governments to meet essential infrastructure needs. Funding for water and wastewater projects targets areas with a population of less than 10,000. Other community programs serve areas with a population of less than 20,000.
Others participating in the event included Sen. Bob Corker’s representative and Public Works Chairman Paul Goode; Rep. Bart Gordon's representative Carolina Diaz-Barriga, Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt, Westmoreland Water Department Superintendent Jon Pullen, Contractor Joe Kemp, Project Engineer Buddy Koonce and RD Area Office staff Ralph Elam and Donna Duncan.
Committed to the future of rural communities in Tennessee, USDA Rural Development invests financial and technical assistance through housing, community and business development programs. In Fiscal Year 2008 Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through loans, loan guarantees and grants.
For more information on Rural Development programs available in Sumner County contact the Area Office in Nashville at 615-783-1359, toll free at (800) 342-3149 ext. 1359, or online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.