WASHINGTON, June 17, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of more than $123 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded immediately through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in 24 states.
"The water and wastewater projects announced today support the Obama administration's goal of rebuilding and revitalizing our country's rural infrastructure and putting people to work by doing the work that Americans want done." Vilsack said. "These Recovery Act investments will provide reliable drinking water and sanitary waste disposal while creating and saving jobs in rural America."
The 24 states where projects are located include: Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
In Gulf County, Fla., the City of Wewahitchka has been selected to receive $5.44 million to provide funding for a centralized water system for the residents of Stone Mill Creek community and to replace the city's 30- year-old storage tank. The centralized water system for Stone Mill Creek community will ensure quality drinking water and provide adequate water pressure for fire protection.
Meanwhile, Johnson City in Washington County, Tenn., was selected to receive $869,000 to extend safe, reliable water service to an area outside the city limits where household wells and springs have become unreliable for a significant part of the year. A majority have also already tested positive for bacteria and other contaminants. The new water mains will deliver service to about 75 existing households in the Hartmantown area and enable the city to meet the needs of other families and businesses as this rural community on its doorstep continues to grow.
USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program 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. More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
Project List for ARRA Water and Wastewater Funding
Fla. - Immokalee Water & Sewer District (Sewer): $8,088,000 Fla. - Wewahitchka Stone Mill Creek Water (Water): $5,445,200 Total Projects Florida (2): $13,533,200
Iowa - City of Elkader (Sewer): $1,165,000Total Projects Iowa (1): $1,165,000
Idaho - City of Fairfield (Sewer): $1,220,000Total Projects Idaho (1): $1,220,000
Ill. - Eaton Water District (Water): $1,375,000 Total Projects Illinois (1): $1,375,000
Ky. - Edmonson County Water District (Water): $819,500 Ky. - Pendleton County Water District (Water): $275,000 Total Projects Kentucky (2): $1,094,500
La. - Town of Jonesville (Water): $205,000 La. - Village of Montpelier (Water): $850,000 Total Projects Louisiana (2): $1,055,000
Maine - Lincoln Sanitary District (Sewer): $2,650,000 Total Projects Maine (1): $2,650,000
Mich. - West Iron County Sewer Authority (Sewer) $1,000,000 Total Projects Michigan (1): $1,000,000
Mo. - City of Clarence (Sewer): $2,763,000 Mo. - Jackson County PWSD #17 (Water): $417,000 Mo. - Linn-Livingston PWSD #3 (Water): $3,369,030 Total Projects Missouri (3): $6,549,030
Miss. - Clarkdale Water Association, Inc (Water): $4,200,000 Miss. - Trim Cane Water Association, Inc. (Water): $689,000 Total Projects Mississippi (2): $4,889,000
N.D. - City of Oakes (Combined): $4,970,000 Total Projects North Dakota (1): $4,970,000
N.H. - North Conway Water Precinct ( Sewer): $8,190,000 Total Projects New Hampshire (1): $8,190,000
N.Y. - Town of Boston Water District 2 (Water): $353,700 N.Y. - Town of Boston Water District 3 (Water): $3,006,000 N.Y. - Village of Sodus Point (Water): $2,520,000 N.Y. - Town of West Sparta (Water): $795,000 Total Projects New York (4): $6,674,700
Ohio - Jefferson County (Sewer): $9,429,000 Ohio - Northwestern Water & Sewer Dist. (Sewer): $4,420,000 Total Projects Ohio (2): $13,849,000
Okla. - Flint Ridge Rural Water District (Water): $3,860,000 Total Projects Oklahoma (1): $3,860,000
Ore. - Tri City Water & Sanitary Authority (Sewer): $1,595,000 Ore. - Netarts-Oceanside Sanitary District (NOSD) (Sewer): $20,995,000Total Projects Oregon (2): $22,590,000
S.C. - Town of Williamston (Sewer) $4,866,600 S.C. - Williamsburg County (Water): $4,147,600 Total Projects South Carolina (2): $9,014,200
S.D. - Aurora-Brule Rural Water System, Inc.(Water): $3,680,000 Total Projects South Dakota (1): $3,680,000
Tenn. - City of Johnson City (Water): $869,000 Total Projects Tennessee (1): $869,000
Texas - Baffin Bay Water Supply Corporation (Water): $1,627,000 Texas - Leigh WSC (Water): $2,515,000 Total Projects Texas (2): $4,142,000
Va. - Carroll County Public Service Authority (Water): $1,062,000 Total Projects Virginia (1): $1,062,000
Wash. - Battleground (Sewer): $7,000,000 Total Projects Washington (1): $7,000,000
Wis.- Town of Port Wing (Sewer): $1,142,000 Total Projects Wisconsin (1): $1,142,000
W.Va. - McDowell County Public Service District (Water): $1,724,000 W.Va. - Town of Newburg (Water): $185,000Total Projects West Virginia (2): $1,909,000
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 www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.
