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Huntley to Build New Wastewater Treatment System Project receives over $1 million from USDA Rural Development HUNTLEY, Minn., April 24 – U.S. Congressman Gil Gutknecht joined officials from Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the city of Huntley today for a special Earth Day event. Gutknecht announced that Faribault County will receive a $1,092,000 loan/grant package from USDA Rural Development to assist the community of Huntley with wastewater treatment needs. Huntley will build a gravity collection wastewater system and regionalize wastewater treatment with the nearby city of Winebago. The funding comes in the form of a $360,000 low-interest loan and a $732,000 grant. The Water Infrastructure Fund, a state-managed water funding program, contributed a matching grant. "Water quality is essential to a healthy community," Gutknecht said. "This grant and loan will help Faribault County and the community of Huntley manage its water in a way that protects the environment." Joining Gutknecht in the announcement was Curtis Anderson, Deputy Administrator of the Rural Utilities programs for USDA Rural Development and Steve Wenzel, USDA Rural Development Minnesota State Director. Huntley is currently an unsewered community discharging its untreated water into the county ditch system. The new treatment system will improve water quality and address pollution concerns in the area. “USDA Rural Development is committed to the preservation of water quality and the environment which are critical for a healthier rural America. I commend Faribault County in securing the funds needed to assist Huntley in their wastewater needs,” stated Anderson. Faribault County established a 12-year septic upgrade plan in 2000 to address wastewater and environmental issues. The Huntley project is one step the county has taken to improve the area’s water quality and environmental landscape. “It’s always nice to work with a proactive community,” Wenzel said. “President Bush wants citizens in rural areas to be leaders and stakeholders in their communities. That’s exactly what is happening with this project. I’m glad USDA Rural Development played a role in funding this project. Since 2001, USDA Rural Development has invested about $2.5 billion throughout Minnesota. The agency's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Rural Development provides investment and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. For more information on USDA Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn, or call the office in Faribault (507) 334-2206 or Austin (507) 437-8247.
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