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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 25, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
$11.9 Million Funding For Kansas Water Projects Announced By USDA Rural Development
12,000 Rural Kansans To Benefit From Approved Projects
Topeka, KS – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced today that the Agency has approved a second round of Fiscal Year 2005 funding, totaling $11.9 million under the Agency’s Water & Waste Disposal Program, for six rural water service and sewer projects serving over 12,000 rural Kansans. Earlier this year, the Agency announced $3.34 million in funding to provide water service for nine rural communities and service areas which will benefit over 2,000 Kansans.
“USDA Rural Development’s Water & Waste Disposal Program is one of the most important community and economic development efforts this Agency offers in Kansas. These USDA funds, combined with the Agency’s valuable technical assistance which supports local leadership, helps make these critically needed services a reality. It is important that rural Kansans have access to safe and reliable water sources. Not only does this basic service enhance the quality of life for the area residents served by these projects, this USDA program promotes added economic growth for all of Kansas,” commented State Director Banks.
Today’s funding announcement, split between $8.05 million in loans and $3.84million in grants, will support the construction and/or completion of six important infrastructure projects that will provide long-term benefits to these communities and service areas. Specifically, the six projects approved for funding by USDA Rural Development follow:
Cherryvale, KS - $1,850,000 ($1,480,000 direct loan & $370,000 grant) Agency funds will allow for the completion of a sewer project which will benefit over 920 residential users, 66 commercial users, and 14 industrial users. The project will replace approximately 17,000 linear feet of collection line, rebuild 320 manholes, modify 347 service connections, and replace nearly 8,700 feet of service line. Agency funds will be leveraged with an applicant contribution of $200,000.
Linn Co. (KS) Public Wholesale Water Supply District #13 - $5,865,255 ($3,763,000 direct loan & 2,102,255 grant) This Fiscal Year 2005 award, combined with previous years’ funding, will allow for the completion of this wholesale water service project, which will directly benefit over 8,600 rural Kansans. Specifically, USDA Rural Development funds will be used to develop a 200 acre reservoir, construct a treatment plant, three water towers, six booster pump stations, and install approximately 107 miles of transmission lines to twelve entities (seven cities and five rural water districts). These FY2005 supplemental funds will be used in conjunction with previous funding of $15,726,845 loan and grant monies from USDA Rural Development, and a State of Kansas grant in the amount of $1,817,900 for the project.
Marion, KS - $1,840,000 ($1,340,000 direct loan & $500,000 grant) Funding of this project, benefiting over 2,100 Marion residents upon completion, will be used to make improvements to the water treatment plant consisting of constructing an Ozone Based Disinfection unit, constructing a Chlorine Contact Basin, rehabilitating the filter system, and other related modifications.
Morris County (KS) Rural Water District #1 – $461,000 ($337,000 direct loan & $124,000 grant) Final funding of this rural water service project will allow service to be extended to an additional 75 new district customers. Specifically, Agency funds will be used to add approximately 36 miles of water line will be installed, including the setting of 75 meters. These supplemental funds will be used in conjunction with an earlier loan and grant provided by the Agency.
Phillips County (KS) Rural Water District #1 – $1,728,000 ($981,200 direct loan & $746,800 grant) Funding for this new water project will benefit over 120 residential users and allow service to 24 pasture meters. The new system will consist of installing 115 miles of distribution line, developing two water wells, constructing one chlorination building, and constructing a 50,000 gallon water reservoir. Agency funds will be leveraged with a Dane G Hansen grant of $150,000, a Cole Foundation grant of $25,000, and a District contribution of $147,000.
Wilsey, KS - $150,000 (direct loan) This new central water system project, benefiting 110 users, will consist of drilling two water wells, constructing a water tower, and installing distribution lines throughout the City and outlying area. This supplemental funding will be used in conjunction with an initial loan and grant provided by the Agency.
During today’s announcement, State Director Banks thanked the Kansas Congressional Delegation for their continued support of the Agency’s Water & Waste Disposal Program, along with the many other USDA Rural Development programs. “Over the past fifteen years alone, the Agency’s Water & Waste Disposal Program has assisted over 230,000 rural Kansans and contributing over $3.5 billion in added growth to the SunflowerState’s economy. We should all thank our U.S. Senators and Representatives for supporting this benefit for the entire State,” remarked Banks.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, the Agency provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural America. For additional information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, interested parties may call the Agency’s state headquarters at 785-271-2700 or log onto the state’s USDA Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities.
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