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 Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Earth Day; Rural Communities Across America Benefit From Water and Environmental Infrastructure Projects, Improved Water Availability and Quality
WASHINGTON, April 22, 2010 – Marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 69 water and environmental projects will provide critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements and help protect water quality and the environment in 36 states.
“As citizens around the world celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, USDA is especially proud of our role in protecting the environment in rural areas and helping rural citizens gain access to safe and reliable drinking water,” said Vilsack. “Through USDA’s Water and Environmental program, we continue to make investments in rural water infrastructure projects that support local communities by providing greater economic opportunities while protecting natural resources for future generations.”
Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about the role of citizens, businesses and communities in protecting the environment and ensuring a cleaner, brighter future for generations to come. Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the event has expanded to include participation by citizens and governments in more than 190 countries around the globe.
To protect the environment and improve the health of rural families, USDA Rural Development is providing $268.5 million in funding assistance to 69 water and wastewater infrastructure projects in local communities across the country through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) and other Water and Environmental Program funding. In addition, nearly $23 million is being provided for technical assistance training through the Technical Assistance and Solid Waste Management programs. Today’s announcement includes $110.7 million in Recovery Act funding.
For example, the City of Norton in rural Virginia is receiving a $1.29 million loan and a $3.88 million grant to help mitigate a public health hazard resulting from sewage overflows into two local rivers. The funding will be used for improvements to the City’s existing wastewater collection system to reduce significant inflow and infiltration.
In Cleburne County, Ala., the Ranburne Water & Sewer Board has been selected to receive a $1.18 million loan and $941,000 grant to replace a water tank, asbestos-laden cement pipes, water lines and meters that are over 40 years old.
President Obama signed the Recovery Act into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery . More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov .
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan, grant, or loan/grant agreement. A complete list of recent Recovery Act award recipients by state is below:
Alabama
· The Town of Ranburne: $1,189,000 loan (ARRA) and $941,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Arkansas
· Eureka Gardens Public Facilities: $1,000,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,837,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· North Pulaski Waterworks: $508,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,497,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
California
· The City of Yreka: $6,810,000 loan (ARRA) and $3,249,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Connecticut
· Bolton Lakes Regional Water Pollution Control Ph IV: $2,515,000 loan and $2,979,468 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Bolton Lakes Regional Water Pollution Control Ph V: $2,304,000 loan and $2,440,522 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Delaware
· Sussex County Council-Inland Bays: $10,475,000 loan (ARRA) and $3,002,805 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Florida
· The City of Fanning Springs: $2,946,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,855,400 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Georgia
· The City of Riceboro: $2,497,000 loan (ARRA) and $4,998,200 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for Phase II wastewater system improvements.
Hawaii
· Kawaihau Sports Villa Assoc of Apartment Owners: $990,000 loan and $379,900 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Idaho
· The City of American Falls: $8,260,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,740,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Indiana
· Jackson County Regional Sewer District: $180,000 loan (ARRA) and $120,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Jay County Regional Sewer District: $692,000 loan (ARRA) and $563,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· The Town of St. Leon: $385,000 loan (ARRA) and $619,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Star City Regional Sewer District: $596,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,705,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Iowa
· Southern Iowa Rural Water Association: $516,500 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· City of South English: $776,000 loan and $1,028,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Kansas
· The City of Chetopa: $3,000,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Kentucky
· City of Monticello: $4,984,000 loan and $2,136,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Louisiana
· Gilgal Water System Inc: $1,846,000 loan and $1,258,295 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· Town of Delhi: $875,000 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Town of Rayville: $4,015,000 loan and $2,068,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Maine
· Town of Madawaska: $1,980,000 loan and $4,720,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Maryland
· Allegany Board of Commissioners: $4,260,000 loan (ARRA) and $4,794,000 grant. The funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.
Massachusetts
· The Town of Hardwick: $270,000 loan (ARRA) and $640,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Michigan
· The Village of Baraga: $2,754,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,670,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· City of Allegan: $790,000 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· City of Newaygo: $3,047,000 loan. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· City of Luna Pier: $3,000,000 loan and $898,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Minnesota
· The City of Bertha: $3,639,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,782,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.
· City of Ranier: $1,241,000 loan and $296,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· City of Garfield: $1,245,000 loan and $1,740,000 grant. The funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.
Mississippi
· City of Nettleton: $216,600 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Lily Rose Water Association: $929,000 loan and $2,495,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· Black Bayou Water Association: $2,888,000 loan and $2,002,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Nebraska
· The City of Stromsburg: $1,358,000 loan (ARRA) and $541,500 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Nevada
· Panaca Farmstead Association: $701,000 loan (ARRA) and $640,560 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· The City of West Wendover: $2,637,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Yerington Pauite Tribe: $405,000 loan and $762,171. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
New Hampshire
· Town of Waterville Valley: $1,919,000 loan and $1,595,000 grant. The funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.
New Jersey
· Borough of Pitman: $2,337,000 loan and $1,000,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
North Dakota
· South Central Rural Water District: $4,364,750 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· South Central Rural Water District: $3,000,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· City of Finley: $190,000 loan and $155,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Ohio
· The Village of Williamsburg: $950,000 loan (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Pennsylvania
· West Carroll Township Water & Sewer Authority: $3,624,000 loan $5,266,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
South Carolina
· Alligator Rural W & S Co.: $4,869,000 loan (ARRA) and $10,537,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· Town of Pelzer: $1,065,000 loan and $2,879,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Town of West Pelzer: $663,000 loan and $1,902,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
South Dakota
· The City of Estelline: $1,019,000 loan (ARRA) and $915,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· Kingbrook Rural Water System Inc.: $4,991,000 loan (ARRA) and $2,899,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· The City of Wagner: $535,000 loan (ARRA) and $190,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.
· Spearfish Meadows Homeowners Association: $111,000 loan. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· Rosebud Sioux Tribe: $994,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Oglala Sioux Tribe: $417,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Tennessee
· The Town of Baileyton: $305,000 loan (ARRA) and $420,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· The Town of Benton: $100,000 loan (ARRA) and $50,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Utah
· Santaquin City: $2,912,000 loan and $4,953,913 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Vermont
· Town of Lyndon: $1,288,000 loan and $3,732,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Virginia
· The City of Norton: $1,297,000 loan (ARRA) and $3,889,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Buckingham County: $5,000,000 loan and $5,822,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
Washington
· City of Westport: $3,929,000 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· Town of St. John: $1,250,000 loan and $780,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
West Virginia
· Lavalette Public Service District-Phase II: $1,420,000 loan (ARRA) and $1,611,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· Logan City Public Service District: $1,512,000 loan (ARRA) and $8,728,600 grant. The funding will be used wastewater system improvements.
· Cowen Public Service District: $1,270,000 loan and $3,560,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Wisconsin
· The Village of Solon Springs: $1,541,000 loan (ARRA) and $727,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
· The Village of Stetsonville: $2,109,000 loan (ARRA) and $665,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for water system improvements.
· The Village of Stetsonville: $629,000 loan (ARRA) and $489,000 grant (ARRA). The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
#
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).