USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT POURS OVER $3.2 MILLION INTO WATER SYSTEM IN ST. MARTIN PARISH
800 Residents of Cade to Receive New Water Delivery System
Alexandria, LA, March 31 -- The US Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area will provide a total of $3,235,600 in loans and grants to the town of Cade in St. Martin Parish to build a new water system, representatives of the agency announced today in a ceremony held at the St. Anthony Church Hall in Cade. Rural Development Louisiana State Director Austin Cormier and USDA Office of Community Development Deputy Administrator Victor Vasquez presented a ceremonial check for a $1,390,000 loan and $1,845,600 grant to Roland Karlegan, Chair of the Waterworks District #3 of St. Martin Parish. The funding is provided under the Clinton Administration's Water 2000 program, designed to bring fresh, clean drinking water and sanitary and environmentally safe waste water facilities to rural America.
"Rural Development is proud to be able to fund the new water system in Cade," said Office of Community Development Deputy Director Victor Vasquez. "Currently, residents of the area are carrying water from shallow wells to their homes for drinking and doing laundry. Projects like this illustrate USDA's and the Clinton Administration's priority of assuring that residents of rural areas have access to the modern community services that are enjoyed by residents of urban communities."
The project includes a water processing plant, a 200,000-gallon ground storage tank, a 340 GPM water well, a chlorinator, pressure tank, a building and 57 new fire hydrants.
"Many Americans are unaware of the broad impact USDA programs have on rural America," said Rural Development Louisiana State Director Austin Cormier. "Bringing clean drinking water to rural residents is one of the most important things USDA Rural Development can do to have a direct effect on the lives of rural residents in Cade and across Louisiana."
USDA's Water and Waste Water program is administered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service. Loans and grants are available to rural communities of fewer than 10,000 residents. The Louisiana Rural Development State Office is located at 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302. There are four area offices located throughout the state to serve Louisiana residents.
Contacts:
Rural Development LA State Director Austin Cormier
(318) 473-7920