Talkeetna is unincorporated, but hundreds of Alaskans call it home and live there year-round. It has all the amenities you would expect in a small town, including a school, library, post office and a clinic. It also has community water and sewer service.
USDA Rural Development has long been a partner in Talkeetna’s development. We helped to fund the clinic, and the new home for KTNA public radio. We have also funded a system that uses water-based plant life to clean waste water before it enters the Susitna River.
One significant remaining issue for the community is the quality of Talkeetna’s drinking water. Much of the water used in Talkeetna comes from twin 160 foot community wells. The system, built over 20 years ago has received water quality violation notices from the State of Alaska.
Earlier this month, it was announced that, using funds provided by Congress through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, USDA Rural Development would provide the community with a $714,500 grant and a $48,000 loan to purchase a water treatment module. The new module, when installed, will remove impurities from the water supply and improve the overall quality of the water being supplied to area homes and businesses. It will leverage an additional $500,000 in investment.
On behalf of President Obama, Secretary Vilsack and USDA, I am proud that Rural Development is able to help fund this project with Recovery Act dollars provided through Congress. The new module will ensure that visitors to Talkeetna, and the Alaskans who live there, will have quality, safe drinking water.
Submitted by Jim Nordlund USDA Rural Development State Director-Alaska