USDA Officials Visit Nielsville to Celebrate Earth Day

City Receives $152,000 From Rural Development for Wastewater System

  NIELSVILLE, Minn. , April 29 – Steve Wenzel , State Director of Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), visited Nielsville today to present a $152,000 check to the city of Nielsville for a city-wide wastewater collection and treatment system. The event was also in recognition of Earth Day.

    “The funds announced today illustrate the hands-on role USDA Rural Development plays in Minnesota ’s rural communities,” Wenzel said. “President Bush has made it a goal to provide clean water to all rural communities. USDA Rural Development is here to make sure that goal is reached.”

    Initially, USDA Rural Development awarded Nielsville a $15,000 grant to assist the city with examining the condition of its existing wastewater system. The agency recently announced that it had awarded Nielsville a $152,000 low-interest loan for improvements to the city’s wastewater system, including replacing existing wastewater collection mains, relining existing pond floors, replacing appropriate control structures and various other improvements. Nielsville also received a $589,000 Small Cities Block Grant to complete the improvements.

    When the project is complete, Nielsville’s wastewater treatment system will be completely updated and in compliance with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

    USDA Rural Development plays a major role in keeping rural communities environmentally friendly. In addition to providing funding for clean water, USDA Rural Development also has funds available for renewable and energy efficiency ventures. The agency also assists rural communities with housing, job creation, hospitals, emergency response equipment and buildings, and high-speed Internet.

    Since 2001, USDA Rural Development has invested over $2 billion throughout Minnesota – more than twice the national average. For more information on USDA Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn, or call your local office in Detroit Lakes at (218) 847-5694.