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
Contact: Alec Lloyd
(517) 324-5204
USDA Highlights Projects in Reed City, Blair Township
EAST LANSING, April 24, 2012 – U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner today attended events in Reed City and Blair Township to highlight the role of the agency in supporting rural communities and promoting economic development.
“It is great to see how Blair Township is progressing and to undertake a new project in Reed City,” said Turner. “These investments in critical infrastructure will enhance the well-being of these communities for years to come.”
In Reed City, Turner presented a certificate to commemorate a $2,186,000 sewer loan funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and a $511,000 Rural Development direct water loan. The project will replace sewage collection and water distribution lines, eliminating rainwater seepage into the sewer system and preventing the loss of treated drinking water in the water system. Work will begin shortly.
Turner also reviewed the progress of the Blair Township water project, which began last May thanks to a $2.7 million Rural Development water loan. The upgrades include a water transmission main, a 500,000 gallon storage tank and a stand-by generator at the existing water plant. The project will serve 1,009 rural customers and work is nearly complete.
USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $165 billion in loans and loan guarantees. Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information about the agency’s programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.
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