Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is investing in 40 projects in 20 states to improve rural water infrastructure.

“These investments will have a far-reaching, positive impact on rural residents, businesses and communities,” Baxley said. “Improving water and wastewater infrastructure enhances quality of life, helps support economic development and ensures that rural areas have safe and abundant water supplies.”

USDA is investing $82 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems. The projects must be in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

View the interactive RD Apply tool or contact one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices for application or eligibility information.

USDA is announcing investments today in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Below are some examples:

  • The town of Loxley, Ala., is receiving a $4.8 million loan and a $4.7 million grant to improve its wastewater system and help prevent overflow from the treatment plant into the Corn Branch tributary during heavy rains.
  • The city of Croswell, Mich., is receiving a $3.2 million loan and a $6.7 million grant to install slip lining, replace pipes and make improvements to the wastewater treatment plant. This is Phase 2 of a project to bring the city into compliance with state environmental guidelines.
  • Pennsylvania’s West Sunbury Borough Municipal Authority is receiving a $256,000 loan and a $369,000 grant to install equipment and filters to upgrade the sewage treatment plant to meet state requirements. The project will serve the borough of West Sunbury, portions of Clay Township and the Dassa McKinney Elementary School in Concord Township.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

Source: USDA