WASHINGTON, February 19, 2010 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the funding of 47 projects designed to protect public health by improving water quality and public sanitation services in 19 states. The projects, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, are expected to provide construction jobs and create infrastructure needed to support community growth.

"These investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will deliver safe drinking water and protect the quality of our environment," Vilsack said. "A safe, reliable water supply is vital to economic growth and development. Through these projects, we are helping to achieve the Obama Administration's economic recovery goals to rebuild and revitalize the nation's infrastructure."

For example, the state of Kansas will build eight projects including one in the city of Muscotah. The community has been selected to receive a loan of $240,000 and a grant of $506,000 to construct a new 65,000-gallon elevated water storage tank and install new water lines. Muscotah water system improvements will reduce waterline breakages, meet the state water pressure requirements, and provide community residents with safe, dependable drinking water supplies.

The Fort Smith Water and Sewer District in Montana has been selected to receive a $1,368,000 loan and $2,322,000 grant to construct a new well and well house, connect two systems to a main line, install new fire hydrants and water meters, and construct a 100,000-gallon water storage tank. These system improvements will boost community water pressure.

The loan and grant funding announced today totals $128.1 million. To date, USDA has announced $2.2 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.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Below is a complete list of award recipients.

Idaho

• City of Bliss: $700,000 loan; $1,000,000 grant; wastewater system improvements

Illinois

• Village of Marissa: $1,380,000 loan; $815,000 grant; water system improvements
• FMC Water Company: $700,000 loan; water system improvements

Indiana

• Mexico Community Regional Sewer District: $1,506,000 loan; $4,449,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Town of Osgood: $2,370,000 loan; $778,000 grant; water system improvements

Iowa

• Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA): $538,000 loan; $1,256,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA): $181,000 loan; $402,000 grant; wastewater system improvements

Kansas

• City of Burlingame: $890,000 loan; wastewater system improvements
• City of Muscotah: $240,000 loan; $506,000 grant; water system improvements
• City of Olpe: $355,000 loan; $570,000 grant; water system improvements
• Osage County Rural Water District No. 6: $395,000 loan; water system improvements
• City of Parker: $390,400 loan; wastewater system improvements
• City of Smolan: $598,000 loan; wastewater system improvements
• City of Weir: $237,000 loan; storm drain system improvements
• City of Woodston: $342,000 loan; $484,000 grant; water system improvements

Maine

• Madison Water District: $450,000 loan; $1,121,500 grant; water system improvements

Massachusetts

• Town of Oak Bluffs: $1,100,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Town of Provincetown: $3,000,000 loan; $9,000,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Town of Wellfleet: $1,500,000 loan; $4,500,000 grant; water system improvements
• Town of Edgartown: $445,000 loan; $361,100 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Town of Provincetown: $2,466,000 loan; $7,364,000 grant; water system improvements

Michigan

• Gogebic Range Water Authority: $5,106,000 loan; $3,552,000 grant; water system improvements
• Village of Bloomingdale: $1,307,000 loan; $3,918,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Village of Hesperia: $918,000 loan; $625,000 grant; water system improvements
• City of Reed City: $3,012,000 loan; wastewater system improvements

Minnesota

• City of Maple Lake: $1,314,000 loan; $604,000 grant; wastewater and water system improvements

Missouri

• Vernon County Public Water Supply District #7: $272,000 loan; $68,050 grant; water system improvements

Montana

• Fort Smith Water & Sewer District: $1,368,000 loan; $2,322,000 grant; water system improvements
• Sweet Grass Community Water & Sewer District: $263,000 loan; $753,000 grant; water system improvements

New York

• Village of Alfred: $797,000 loan; wastewater system improvements
• Town of Volney: $449,000 loan; $344,500 grant; water system improvements
• Town of Wolcott: $644,000 loan; $898,600 grant; water system improvements

North Carolina

• Town of Sharpsburg: $412,000 loan; $2,790,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Town of Jonesville: $2,590,000 loan; $621,300 grant; water system improvements
• Town of Beulaville: $2,304,000 loan; $2,295,000 grant; wastewater system improvements

Pennsylvania

• Brownsville Municipal Authority: $141,000 loan; $488,000 grant; wastewater system improvements

South Dakota

• City of Sisseton: $616,000 loan; water system improvements

Utah

• Manila Town Corporation: $874,000 loan; $1,839,436 grant; water system improvements

Virginia

• Wythe County: $3,316,000 loan; $2,087,000 grant; water system improvements
• Town of Wytheville: $4,105,000 loan; $2,326,000 grant; water system improvements

West Virginia

• Mingo County Public Service District (Jennies Creek): $1,429,000 loan; $2,926,000 grant; water system improvements
• Town of Rowlesburg: $920,000 grant; water system improvements

Wisconsin

• Village of Clyman: $2,317,000 loan; $1,727,000 grant; construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF)
• Village of Winneconne: $3,659,000 loan; $916,000 grant; wastewater treatment plant improvements
• City of Mauston: $782,000 loan; $208,000 grant; water system improvements
• City of Mauston: $694,000 loan; $204,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
• Country Estates Sanitary District: $1,456,000 loan; $3,120,000 grant; wastewater system improvements

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.

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