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press release United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development |
August 21, 2002 - Dodge City, KS. -- USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced today that Kansas will be receiving a state record $30.2 million in FY2002 Farm Bill monies for the funding of several rural water district systems and wastewater projects across the State. U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and USDA/RUS Administrator Hilda Legg joined Banks in announcing these statewide projects during a meeting of business leaders in Dodge City.
The eleven Kansas projects committed for funding cover sixteen counties, some of the communities include Atwood, Little River, Oswego, and Waverly. A total of 10,000 Kansas families will be supplied drinking water or served by environmentally sound wastewater facilities through these projects.
"I am very supportive of Kansas Rural Development and the rural development provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill. The funding of these critically needed projects will provide many of our rural communities the opportunity to expand their economic development efforts, thus creating more jobs and enhancing their prosperity", Senator Roberts said.
State Director Banks commented, "The 2002 Farm Bill contains excellent economic development provisions for rural Kansas. The funding of these water districts and wastewater facilities will greatly improve the quality of life in these communities. Further, the ongoing drought in many areas of Kansas has adversely affected a number of our communities, and these water projects will greatly help these critically under-served areas. Kansas Rural Development is very pleased to provide assistance to these rural areas.
Kansas Rural Development had previously administered an additional $14.7 million in water and wastewater project funds allocated to the State during FY2002 prior to the signing of the 2002 Farm Bill.
Rural Development is the economic development agency for USDA. For additional economic development information, you may log onto the Kansas Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks or e-mail the Agency at 2002farmbillRD@ks.usda.gov