VICE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES $112 MILLION FOR RURAL WATER THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Vice President Release No. 0211.97 _______________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: (202) 456-7035 Friday, June 27, 1997 VICE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES $112 MILLION FOR RURAL WATER Funds Will Aid 84 Projects in 43 States and Puerto Rico WASHINGTON, DC--Vice President Al Gore announced today (6/27) $112.4 million for safe drinking water projects for rural Americans, representing the largest action to date under the Administration,s Water 2000 initiative. "It,s hard to imagine but, even in 1997, millions of Americans raise their families without a resource as basic and as necessary as safe drinking water," the Vice President said in a White House ceremony. "But it shouldn't be this way. Turning on the kitchen faucet shouldn,t tap a parent,s deepest anxieties. So today, we take an important step to do better." The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest the $112.4 million in loans and grants to 84 safe-drinking water projects in 43 states and Puerto Rico. That investment will leverage another $35.2 million from non-USDA federal, state, and local sources. Since launching Water 2000 in August 1994, USDA has invested over $1 billion in loans and grants to over 900 communities in all 50 states. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said, "Water 2000 is a key part of our commitment to invest in rural America -- to improve the quality of life, protect public health and safety, and foster economic sustainability. When I visit rural areas and talk to the families and business owners who have benefitted from this program, I know that the Clinton Administration is making a difference in these rural communities." USDA estimates that 2.5 million rural Americans face serious problems arising from poor water quality and availability, including almost one million with no running water at home. Another estimated 5.6 million Americans have significant needs under Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, including undersized or poorly protected water sources, a lack of adequate storage facilities, and antiquated distribution systems. Water 2000 is administered by USDA's Rural Development mission area, which delivers programs designed to strengthen local economies, build affordable housing, and expand infrastructure in rural areas. Final STATE PROJECT LOAN GRANT 06/26/97 Alabama Nauvoo 351,000 262,000 Alaska Akiak 405,500 Kotlik 533,000 Sheldon Point 90,000 Coffman Cove 387,500 387,500 Arizona Carrizo 211,100 211,100 Cocopah 200,000 575,000 Arkansas McDougal 623,400 650,000 Vendor 329,100 282,700 California Arvin 34,200 211,900 Mojave 34,600 400,000 Hughson 504,500 504,450 Delaware Delmar 494,000 608,500 Florida Palatka 2,054,900 1,957,400 Georgia Buena Vista 1,236,490 3,574,470 Hawaii Hilo 158,750 476,250 Idaho Parma 100,000 175,000 Illinois Creston 1,500,000 1,000,000 Centralia 869,000 Wilmington 25,000 174,000 Indiana Spencer 1,510,500 Iowa Williamson 1,500,000 500,000 Centerville 875,000 Centerville 3,525,000 Kansas Mound City 4,617,700 6,054,700 Kentucky Paintsvill 351,000 497,000 Blackey 650,000 Louisiana Abbeville 325,000 150,000 Chataignier 120,000 50,000 Maine Addison 90,600 221,525 Winter Harbor 184,000 200,000 Eastport 77,000 150,000 Maryland Cumberland 508,700 1,661,000 Michigan Pigeon 1,600,000 1,400,000 Minnesota Madison 2,290,000 Mississippi Taylor 650,000 650,000 Missouri Unionville 1,000,000 1,000,000 West Plaines 940,000 940,000 Noel 464,000 726,000 Montana Bainville 645,600 352,900 Chippewa Cree Tribe 66,000 198,000 Nebraska Davenport 873,800 1,067,900 Burchard 59,000 27,800 Chappell 1,454,700 125,600 New Hampshire Sanbornville 148,000 65,000 New Jersey Pinewald 1,200,000 500,000 New Mexico Hatch 211,400 634,100 New York Clifton 290,000 1,060,000 Champion 421,300 935,100 North Carolina Halifax 1,222,000 Ohio Caldwell 814,000 543,000 Beach City 480,000 320,000 Wheelersburg 244,000 200,000 Oklahoma Skiatook 427,800 Allen 430,000 762,000 Oregon Falls City 1,204,650 2,000,000 Wallowa 620,000 1,750,000 Pennsylvania Green Township 1,591,000 400,000 Puerto Rico Jayuya 117,200 612,800 South Carolina Timmonsville 1,030,800 1,120,100 South Dakota Emery 1,003,500 100,000 Tabor 750,000 250,000 Dell Rapids 1,673,000 Wakanda 614,500 544,000 Tennessee Jellico 1,500,000 3,217,500 Kingston 354,000 236,000 McMinnville 839,000 325,000 Huntsville 1,000,000 3,000,000 Texas Graham 635,900 777,000 Martindale 478,000 Alvord 210,000 Westminster 878,000 Utah Monroe City 200,000 200,000 Paradise 25,000 25,000 Willard 87,000 175,000 Vermont Pownal 472,100 780,000 Williston 124,000 328,200 Virginia Callaghan 463,000 600,000 Verona 99,900 299,700 Washington Packwood 315,150 150,000 West Virginia Davy 38,000 602,000 Valley Fork 360,000 750,000 Bluefield 142,000 161,000 Wisconsin Ashland 4,350,000 Totals: 59,905,840 52,523,695 Grand Total: 112,429,535 84 Projects 43 States 1 Territory # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. 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