USDA: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announces water system projects to improve health and sanitation in communities in 20 states

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Recovery Act Funds Safeguard Groundwater, Replace Aging Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, MARCH 22, 2010 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the funding of projects in 20 states designed to protect public health by improving water quality and public sanitation services. The projects, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), are expected to provide construction jobs and create infrastructure needed to support community growth.

“Water and wastewater projects are moving forward in rural communities across the country and thanks to the Recovery Act, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America,” said Vilsack. “Through these projects, we are advancing the Obama Administration’s economic recovery goals to rebuild and revitalize the nation’s infrastructure. They will create urgently needed jobs when they are built and will support more job creation through rural economic development for years to come.”

For example, the City of Kewaunee, Wis. has been selected to receive a $4,904,000 loan and $2,086,500 grant for the construction of a new wastewater treatment system that will improve efficiency, protect public health and safeguard groundwater quality. The project will construct a new aeration basin, headworks, laboratory and office. An existing building will be upgraded. The new waste water system will now meet State Department of Natural Resources requirements.

In Taylor County, Wis., the Village of Gilman has been selected to receive a $550,000 loan and a $155,000 grant to replace the community’s aging water system that was originally constructed using asbestos-laden cement pipes. The project will improve water quality and increase the Village’s ability to sustain reasonable fire protection.

“A primary mission of USDA Rural Development is to assist communities in establishing and maintaining necessary facilities with the goal of improving the quality of life for rural Wisconsin residents,” said Stan Gruzynski, Wisconsin State Director. “The additional program funding received through the Recovery Act has increased our ability to assist with important projects and upgrades such as this. Upon completion of these projects, resident will enjoy a cleaner environment and a better quality of life for years to come.”

The loan and grant funding announced today supports 60 projects and totals $159 million. To date, USDA has announced $2.3 billion in Recovery Act funds for water and environmental projects. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama one year ago.

The funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation’s economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

More information about USDA’s Recovery Act efforts is available at http://www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government’s efforts on the Recovery Act is available at http://www.recovery.gov.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As the lead federal agency for rural development needs, USDA Rural Development returned more than $700 million dollars this past year to rural Wisconsin communities. Funds are used to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technological infrastructures. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting the web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi.