USDA POURS $1,960,000 INTO NEW RICHMOND WATER TREATMENT
New Richmond Residents to Benefit
WASHINGTON, DC - February 3, 1998 - The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area will provide a total of $1,960,000 in loans and grants to the town of New Richmond to build a new wastewater collection and treatment system, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Jill Long Thompson announced today in Washington. USDA Rural Development administers a number of programs designed to strengthen rural economies and expand infrastructure in rural areas.
"As a Hoosier myself, I am particularly pleased that Rural Development is able to help protect the environment and provide reliable wastewater treatment to the residents of the New Richmond area," said Under Secretary Long Thompson. "This project demonstrates USDA's and the Clinton-Gore Administration's priorities of providing the same services to rural residents as are available in urban areas, and in making sure that residents can rely on community services to be efficient and dependable."
The money comes in the form of a $1,098,000 grant and a $862,000 loan. The project will add 149 residential and seven commercial users to the current system.
"Rural Development is trying to prevent groundwater and soil becoming polluted by water seepage from old pipes," said Rural Development's Indiana State Director John Thompson. "These improvements will allow the town to save money over time and will prevent the later, more costly repairs that might have been necessary otherwise."
In Fiscal Year 1997, the Clinton-Gore Administration approved over $45 million in water and wastewater loans and grants for Indiana. This money was used to fund numerous projects across the state, which translates into approximately 15,399 individuals who now have safe clean drinking water and sanitary waste water systems.
USDA's Water and Wastewater program, administered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service, is designed to bring fresh, clean drinking water and sanitary and environmentally sound wastewater facilities to America's 53 million rural residents. The commitment of USDA to this effort is at the core of its mission and its promise to help build stronger, more vibrant rural communities across the nation.
Contacts:
Rural Development Legislative & Public Affairs Director
Clark Ray, 202- 720-5579
Rural Development IN State Director
John Thompson, 317-290-3100