USDA Provides More Than $19 Million In Rural Development Assistance To 10 Florida Recipients
Funds will improve local water systems, community facilities and farm labor housing

PALATKA, Florida, July 16, 2003—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Jim Moseley today announced the awarding of $19,533,075 in loans and grants to 10 Florida recipients for improvements to local water systems, a farm labor housing complex and a community facility.

“The Bush Administration is committed to investing in rural America,” Moseley said during a meeting here with Florida agriculture and community leaders. “These projects are great examples of how USDA works as a partner with rural communities to enhance area businesses and improve water quality and quantity for residents.”

“USDA Rural Development is committed to taking necessary actions to provide for a healthy and vibrant rural America,” said USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr. “Rural communities must be provided the necessary infrastructure to grow and prosper. This assistance will help achieve that goal.”

The projects are:
Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program

• Putnam County Board of County Commissioners, Putnam County, Palatka, Florida - $7,268,000. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to construct a new regional water system that will help meet the needs of residents and businesses and provide quality water service at a reasonable cost. The funds consist of a $4,268,000 loan and a $3,000,000 grant.

• Point Baker Water System, Inc., Santa Rosa County, Milton, Florida - $2,677,000. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to upgrade the water supply, storage, and distribution. These upgrades will help meet the growing demands of its service area by providing quality drinking water and reasonable fire protection. The funds consist of a $2,027,000 loan and a $650,000 grant.

• The Town of Polk City, Polk County, Polk City, Florida - $1,200,000. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to purchase an existing water system from the city of Lakeland. The Town of Polk City is making the purchase in order to provide a more reliable level of service and meet the increased demands from growth in the area. The funds consist of a $1,200,000 loan.

• City of Eagle Lake, Polk County, Eagle Lake, Florida - $651,250. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to expand the city’s water system. Eagle Lake is expanding water transmission and distribution facilities into unserved surrounding areas to increase water main capacities and to provide a better level of fire protection. The funds consist of a $651,250 loan.

Emergency Community Water Assistance

• Jackson County Board of County Commissioners, Jackson County, Marianna, Florida - $396,050. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to extend the existing water distribution system into a small community knows as the Flynt Drive area. A series of well contaminations attributed to a chemical spill qualified the areas for emergency provisions. The assistance will be used to provide the residents with treated water and remove the individual wells from service. The funds consist of a $396,050 loan.

Farm Labor Housing Program

• Hendry County Non-Profit Housing, Inc., Hendry County, LaBelle, Florida - $208,810. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to complete rehabilitation of a 40-unit farm labor housing complex. The funds consist of a $208,810 grant.

Community Facilities Program

• Jackson County Board of County Commissioners, Jackson County, Marianna, Florida - $400,000. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to assist the county in completing a community meeting/training wing to the Jackson County Agriculture Center. The funds consist of a $400,000 loan.

Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov

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