Investment will benefit 133 thousand rural residents in Tar Heel State
RALEIGH, North Carolina, April 22, 2021 – Today, in honor of Earth Day 2021, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $37 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in North Carolina build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship.
In the state USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program.
“When we invest in accessible and modern climate-smart infrastructure in rural communities, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs,” Maxson said. “The investments we are announcing today demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration has put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions.”
Through its Water and Environmental Programs, USDA funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.
For example:
- The town of Beaufort will use a $3 million loan and $500 thousand grant to make various improvements to the town's storm water drainage system. Improvements include replacement/installation of approximately 5,120 liner feet of pipe, 460 linear feet of grout, 52 catch basins, 6 drop inlets, 11 manholes, 9 headwalls, 500 linear feet of CCTV inspection, and necessary appurtenances.
- The town of Carthage will use a $842 thousand loan and $389 thousand grant to construct 4,500 linear feet of new 16-inch forcemain in addition to the approximately 31,000 linear feet of new 16-inch forcemain as originally proposed for the project. The investment will additionally upgrade the McCaskill pump station.
- Cleveland County Water will use a $17 million in loans to construct two new weirs by Cleveland County Water District one in the French Broad River and one in Knob Creek. The project also includes the restoration of the existing stream banks due to erosion from the existing stone weirs. CCW will also construct a new 16,350 square foot administrative and operations center.
- The city of Dunn will use a $1.4 million loan and a $1.2 million grant to replace or rehabilitate approximately 9,135 linear feet of sewer collection line, repair 42 manholes, replace 134 service laterals, and necessary appurtenances.
- Jason Water Corporation will use a $753 thousand loan and $128 thousand grant to construct a new water supply well in the Jason Community, re-drill an existing water supply well in the Shine Community, replace two existing hydropneumatic water storage tanks, SCADA System, approximately 48,672 linear feet of water line, replace the existing water meters with a ARM radio-read system, two new stand-by generators, valves and fittings.
- The City of Oxford will use a $3 million loan and $1.5 grant to improve sewer and water infrastructure systems.
- Stanly Water and Sewer Authority with use a $9.8 million loan and $3.8 million grant to finance the construction of a Phase 4 waterline extension project. The proposed project consists of installing approximately 31 miles of waterline, 106 fire hydrants, and 490 service connections.
“Many of these rural communities have water systems that date back to the Depression era,” said a representative from USDA Rural Development North Carolina. “We are updating these systems to provide the service these people need and deserve as their population grows.”
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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