NEWS
RELEASE
United States Department
of Agriculture Rural Development
3001 Coolidge Rd. 2nd Floor North Suite 200 East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 324-5204 Fax: (517) 324-5225
alec.lloyd@mi.usda.gov
USDA ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $13 MILLION FOR PROJECTS IN MUNISING AND FORSYTH TOWNSHIP
EAST LANSING, May 8, 2008 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Director for Michigan Gene DeRossett today presented two ceremonial checks totaling more than $13 million to community leaders in Munising and Forsyth Township for water and public safety improvements.
These projects help demonstrate the diversity of ways we are investing in the Upper Peninsula, said DeRossett. From clean ground water to public safety, USDA is helping to improve the quality of life for rural Michigan residents.
The City of Munising received a total of $13,729,000, consisting of $12,127,000 in loans and a $1,602,000 grant. The money will be used to replace 26,500 feet of water mains, rehabilitate a water tank, upgrade controls systems and meters and improve the well houses. In addition, it will pay for 43,500 feet of sanitary sewer, 11,350 feet of storm sewer, 8,600 feet of forecemain, rehabilitate a lift station and convert the wastewater treatment plant to an oxidation ditch process. The total cost of the project is approximately $14,233,000 and is necessary to correct safe drinking water violations noted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Forsyth Township received a $15,000 grant for a four-wheel drive police patrol vehicle.
The events are part of a series of ceremonies commemorating more than $17 million in grants and loans this month for communities across the Upper Peninsula.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
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