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

WASTEWATER FUNDING TO HELP MADISON AND WOOLFORD

Madison, MD August 28, 2008 – The Dorchester County Sanitary District has received a significant amount of money from USDA Rural Development to extend central sewer to the residents and businesses in the communities of Madison and Woolford. 

USDA Rural Development State Director, Marlene Elliott Brown announced a $1,754,000 loan and $2,030,258 grant that will be combined with State funding in an effort to eliminate onsite aging septic systems and install an environmentally sound public sewer system.  The new infrastructure will help comply with state regulations, improve the quality of life, and protect the environment for years to come. 

The funds are part of the recently enacted farm bill, also known as the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 that is intended to reduce the backlog of pending rural water and wastewater projects across the country.  $1,717,938 in loan and grant funding for Madison and Woolford is from the farm bill and the balance of loan and grant funding is provided through the agency’s annual budget.

“Many people think the farm bill is only for farmers, and do not realize that it is for everyone living in rural America,” said Elliott Brown.  “Agriculture and rural communities can not be separated and that is why the farm bill has funding devoted specifically for rural communities.   Environmental regulations and infrastructure costs are some of the most difficult and most expensive challenges that rural communities face and for many years USDA Rural Development has been a partner in helping small towns overcome these obstacles by returning your taxpayer dollars home to make the project as affordable as possible.”  

Loans and grants for water and wastewater projects are being awarded to rural communities in 46 states and Puerto Rico through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program.  Altogether, the 2008 farm bill and the USDA’s annual budget will provide more than $546 million to address rural infrastructure needs.  

            USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.  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 Denton Office at (410) 479-1202, ext. 4 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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