FARM BILL DELIVERS WASTEWATER FUNDING TO WILLIAMSPORT

 

          Williamsport, MD (September 29) – The Town of Williamsport today received significant funding from USDA Rural Development to improve their aging central sewer system that serves some 1,100 homes and businesses.  

             USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott Brown announced $4.3 million in loan and grant funding.  The money will help correct an inflow and infiltration of storm water into the sewer system.

In a prepared statement Congressman Roscoe Bartlett said, “Funding for projects like this $707,000 grant and lower interest loan of $3,633,000 from USDA Rural Development to Williamsport are among the reasons that I voted for the Farm Bill.  This grant and loan package for modernizing the sewer system follows a previous USDA grant of $15,000 for a study which identified the scope of the problems that will be corrected.  USDA Rural Development has played a vital role to help ensure safer and cleaner water for residents and businesses in rural areas like Williamsport.”

The USDA Rural Development 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.  It is estimated that there is a $3 billion water and wastewater backlog across rural America. 

Williamsport is receiving a $3,633,000 loan at 2.75% interest for 40 years and a $707,000 grant.  The new lower interest rate was authorized in the farm bill.  Prior to the farm bill becoming law, the interest rate was 4.50%.  It is estimated that the interest rate change is saving the Town some $1.8 million.

 “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.  “USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities and through that commitment we help protect the health of our rural residents, our natural resources, and our environment.  In the end, we strive to leave rural America a better place for our children and grandchildren.”

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.  The Town of Williamsport was 1 of 232 projects nationwide to receive funding.

In 2007, USDA Rural Development provided a $15,000 grant to the Town of Williamsport to help with an engineering study that identified upgrades that were needed to the sewer lines.

            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 Hagerstown Office at (301) 797-0500, ext. 4 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

 

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Committed to the future of rural communities.