Davis delivers $150,000 to extend water service to Coppinger Cove

                                                                                                               

August 6, 2009 - MANCHESTER, Tenn.—U.S. Representative Lincoln Davis, USDA Rural Development Administrator Tammye Trevino and USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Robert Connelly, Jr. today announced a federal investment of $150,000 to extend the Jasper water system to families in the Coppinger Cove area. A ceremonial check was delivered to Jasper Mayor Billy Simpson at Rep. Davis' Sixth Annual Small Business and Federal Grants Seminar held in Manchester on August 5-6.

 

"I thank USDA Rural Development for investing in critical water infrastructure for the residents of Coppinger Cove," said Congressman Davis. "I am pleased these recovery and reinvestment act dollars will be providing clean water to many working families."

 

The Rural Development grant of $150,000 will be used to construct about two miles of water line providing service to at least 30 residents in an area where local wells have run dry or been contaminated as the water table has fallen during the past several years of drought. Many Coppinger Cove area residents currently have to rely on bottled water until the Jasper water system extension is complete.

 

"Safe, reliable water is a basic necessity for families, farms and businesses," said Connelly. "Thanks to the support of Congressman Lincoln Davis, Rural Development has the financial and technical resources to partner with local leaders to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people they serve."

 

Rural Development 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.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in rural communities through business development, community and homeownership programs. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Marion County contact the Rural Development Area Office in Chattanooga at 423-756-2239, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 extension 1492, or visit us online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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