$2.6 million to supply reliable water for Hornbeak area

 

March 26 - HORNBEAK, Tenn.—USDA Rural Development Area Director Bobby Goode joined Hornbeak Water Utility District (HWUD) Board President Steve Killion to announce federal funding of $2,657,000 to upgrade and bring back online the district's water treatment plant. The announcement was made at the utility's office in Hornbeak.

 

"Safe, reliable water is a basic necessity for families, farms and businesses," said Goode. "Thanks to the support of our Congressional delegation, Rural Development has the financial resources to help the people of Hornbeak improve the quality of life by revitalizing the old water treatment facility to serve the western part of Obion County."

 

A Rural Development loan of $1,674,000 and grant of $983,000 will fund repairs and improvements needed for HWUD to maintain a reliable independent water supply.  The funding will also extend service to new customers and includes capacity to accommodate future growth in the area. HWUD is contributing an additional $43,000 for a total projected project cost of $2.7 million.

 

"We felt it was imperative for this project to go forward because we need more water distributing capacity to meet the needs of our area," said Killion. "Thanks to the staff at Rural Development, our investment in planning and preparation is now paying off for people and businesses in our area."

 

Rural Development’s community programs provide rural areas with financial resources to construct or improve essential services like reliable access to clean water, sewer, healthcare, education, job training and first responder facilities. Loan-guarantees encourage private lenders to expand the availability of affordable financing in rural communities. Direct loans and grants create sound financial opportunities for local governments to meet essential infrastructure needs. Funding for water and wastewater projects targets areas with a population of less than 10,000. Other community programs serve areas with a population of less than 20,000.

 

Others participating in the event included Sen. Lamar Alexander's representative Matt Varino, Sen. Bob Corker’s representative Jane Jolley, Rep. John Tanner's representative Brad Thompson, and RD Area Office staff Brenda Horner and Mitzi Hailey.

 

Committed to the future of rural communities in Tennessee, USDA Rural Development invests financial and technical assistance through housing, community and business development programs.  In Fiscal Year 2008 Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Obion County contact the Area Office in Union City at 731-885-6480, toll free at (800) 342-3149 ext. 1497, or online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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