USDA Officials Visit Rutledge to Celebrate Earth Day

City Receives $946,000 From Rural Development for Water Infrastructure

  RUTLEGE, April 26 – Steve Wenzel , State Director of Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, visited Rutledge today to announce a $946,000 loan/grant combination to the city of Rutledge 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.”

    The loan portion of the funding totals $600,000 with a 40-year interest rate at 4.25 percent. The city received also received a $346,000 grant from USDA Rural Development. The remainder of the project will be funded with $346,000 from the Water Infrastructure Fund.

    After the project is complete, Rutledge will have a centralized wastewater system that is up to necessary health and safety standards. Previously, individual residents had their own septic systems. The individual systems were deteriorating and presenting a health risk to Rutledge residents.

    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 Duluth at (218) 720-5530.