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

Contact:

Kathy Beisner (302) 857-3582

TWO WORCESTER COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BREAK GROUND

BERLIN, Md., September 20, 2011 – Only a week following President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on his jobs plan, USDA Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton visited Worcester County to highlight approximately $15 million in Rural Development funding for two wastewater system projects.

“Too many of our rural areas are dealing with aging infrastructure and it is projects like these that make sense, and not only for the environment, but for the local economy,” said Tarburton. “To see these projects ready for construction means jobs and the continuation of work for many in the mechanical, electrical and building trades’ fields.”

Federal, state and local officials were on hand at a morning groundbreaking ceremony for the Snow Hill wastewater treatment plant. The $14.6 million project is being funded by a $1.3 million USDA Rural Development low-interest loan, a $1 million USDA grant, $8.9 million grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment, $2.8 million loan from the State Revolving Fund (of which, $2.1 million is loan forgiveness), and the Department of Housing and Community Development is providing $600,000 through the Community Development Block Grant Program.

Benjamin Franklin once said “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Mayor Stephen Mathews reflected on Benjamin Franklin’s quote and said, “This holds true with the efforts being made through the upgrade of the Snow Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant. We are very grateful to the Maryland Department of the Environment, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Housing and Community Development that worked so diligently to assist us with financing and grant funding. We are equally grateful to all of the agencies and Town staff members that have assisted with making this project come to fruition. Without them, we would not be here today to embark on this wonderful endeavor. It is efforts like these that will help bring people back to the work force.”

Following the groundbreaking ceremony for the Snow Hill facility, officials travelled to the site of the new Mystic Harbour wastewater treatment plant. USDA is the sole funder for this project providing a low-interest loan in the amount of $7.8 million and a grant for $4.7 million.

“Replacing the former Mystic Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant with a new plant equipped with an enhanced nutrient removal treatment process that’s good for the environment has been our highest priority project,” Commission President James C. “Bud” Church said.

“We would like to thank the USDA for making this project possible at a rate that’s affordable to the users through the combination of a low interest loan and grant funds. Their support has made this critical infrastructure project a reality.”

Construction at the Snow Hill wastewater treatment plant is expected to last approximately 20 months. The project for Mystic Harbour should be completed by May 2013.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. In Maryland since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested in nearly 40 water and wastewater community infrastructure loans and grants, helping to safeguard the health of rural residents through access to a safe water supply and sanitary sewer system. Almost 32,000 customers are being helped through these new or improved systems.

Additional information on rural programs is available by calling the Maryland and Delaware state office at (302) 857-3580 or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).