NEWS RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C.

Claiborn Crain (202) 720-1263
Jay Fletcher (202) 690-0498

USDA ANNOUNCES $990 THOUSAND FOR HOUSEHOLD WATER WELL SYSTEM GRANTS

     March 29, 2007--Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr today announced the availability of $990,000 in funds to help qualified non-profit organizations establish lending programs for rural household water wells.

     “The Household Water Well System Grants complement our community water loan and grant program by funding individuals who receive their water from wells,” said Dorr. “Many who live in rural America do not live in towns and communities where a centralized water system is feasible. This program helps to meet that basic human need: access to clean, safe drinking water.”

     The Household Water Well System Grant Program (HWWS) provides funds to private non-profit organizations for them to make loans to individual homeowners to construct or upgrade household water well systems. The applicant must contribute a matching amount equal to at least 10 percent of the grant request to capitalize the loan fund. Since the program was created in the 2002 Farm Bill, Rural Development has made 5 grants for $2,286,100.

      The deadline for applications to be submitted is May 31, 2007. Applications may be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov. Paper applications may be submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs, Mail Stop #1570, Room 2233-South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-1570.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested more than $72 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.5 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of
discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

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