NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

Boonsboro Area Will Benefit From Wastewater Funding

Boonsboro, MD May 5, 2008 – Earth Day is officially observed around the globe on April 22nd, but when your tax dollars are returned home to help improve the environment, everyday is Earth Day, according to Congressman Roscoe Bartlett. 

 “As a farmer and a conservative committed to conservation, I do work hard to make every day Earth Day,” said Congressman Bartlett.  “USDA works equally hard to make every day in rural America Earth Day, too. I am grateful for the strong partnership I’ve developed with USDA so it is a real pleasure to welcome Rural Development Program State Director Marlene Elliott Brown to Washington County. USDA has an outstanding record of providing federal funds to support and strengthen the quality of life in western Maryland’s rural communities. Today’s announcement of two grants totaling more than $9 million in federal funds will help residents of Boonsboro be even better stewards of our environment.”
           

Federal, State, and local officials gathered in the foothills of the picturesque Catoctin Mountains at the 90 acre site of Fahrney-Keedy Memorial Home, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing seniors with continuing care services.  The gathering was for the announcement of more than $9.3 million in federal taxpayer funds that will support two Boonsboro wastewater treatment facilities.

  USDA Rural Development State Director, Marlene Elliott Brown and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett announced a $2.3 million loan to Fahrney-Keedy Memorial Home and a $5.9 million loan and $1 million grant to the Town of Boonsboro to help both recipients with upgrades to their wastewater treatment facilities.  The improvements that will be made will help bring the wastewater systems in compliance with Maryland Department of the Environment regulations designed to improve the discharge of treated wastewater effluent.

 “Environmental regulations and infrastructure costs are some of the most difficult and most expensive challenges that rural communities face,” said Marlene Elliott Brown, USDA Rural Development State Director.  “USDA Rural Development for many years has been a partner in helping small towns and non-profit organizations overcome these obstacles by returning your taxpayer dollars home to make the project as affordable as possible.”  

In addition to the USDA funds, the State of Maryland is providing $4.6 million through the Bay Restoration Fund and the State Revolving Loan Fund. 

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.  Last year, the agency returned more than $97 million to rural Maryland.  They have more than 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, home ownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, social and cultural needs and energy related projects.  Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their Hagerstown Office at (301) 797-0500, ext. 5 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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