USDA
Rural Development Celebrates
new Wastewater System in Chester
CHESTER
,
Minn.
, Aug. 9 –
Steve Wenzel
, State Director of Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), visited
Chester
today to celebrate the recent completion of the community’s new wastewater
treatment system.
Chester
is an unincorporated area about five miles east of
Rochester
with a population of about 215.
“This project is a perfect example of what can happen when
federal, state and local government leaders work together,” Wenzel said.
“The community of
Chester
has been waiting a long time for this new wastewater treatment system. I am
glad USDA Rural Development could make this project possible.”
USDA Rural Development contributed to the project with a
$667,000 grant and a $445,000 loan in August of 2003. Additional funding came
from a $467,280 Small Cities Development Grant, $250,000 from the city of
Rochester
, $74,000 from
Olmstead
County
and $74,000 from
Marion
Township
.
The project involves regionalization with the Rochester
Sanitary District, and includes a low-pressure collection system discharging to
a lift station located along Highway 14 and
Chester Heights Road
.
“I would also like to thank U.S. Congressman Gil Gutknecht
for his efforts on this project,” Wenzel said. “His leadership in the U.S.
House of Representatives means a lot for southern
Minnesota
, and goes a long way toward carrying out President Bush’s vision of a strong
and vibrant rural
America
.”
USDA Rural Development has funding available for housing,
clean water, hospitals, high-speed Internet, economic development, job creation
and other essential infrastructure. Since 2001, the agency has invested over
$2.1 billion throughout
Minnesota
.
For
more information on USDA Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn,
or call the office in
Austin
at (507) 437-8247
USDA Rural Development State Director Steve Wenzel
signs the $1.12 million check.
