U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

On Earth Day, USDA Invests $487 Million in Rural Water, Energy, and Biofuel Infrastructure

Name
Charron Culp
City
NASHVILLE
Release Date

NASHVILLE, Tenn., 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 $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in 45 states build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program, and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. Tennessee Rural Development Acting State Director Dan Beasley is pleased to announce $13.7 million will benefit residents of rural Tennessee.

“Our commitment to strengthening the small communities of rural Tennessee is top priority,” Beasley said. “The investments we are announcing today will improve the functionality of water and wastewater infrastructure as well as provide a more secure energy efficiency future.”

Highlights of today’s announcement include investments in:

Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure:

Tennessee is investing $13.6 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Through its Water and Environmental Programs, USDA funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.

  • Dyersburg Suburban Consolidated Utility District will use a $420,000 loan and $330,000 grant to finance the construction of a new well. There is a need for an adequate and redundant source of ground water as required by the State of Tennessee and the Public Drinking Water Systems. Having three functional wells will allow the utility district to maintenance one, while still operating the other two. The addition of a third well also allows each well to get an occasional rest period and creates a safety net that is currently not available.
  • Cunningham Utility District will use a $10.5 million loan to make improvements to the water system serving Montgomery County. This project will install 64,430 feet of water transmission line feeding the southern portion of the water system, install 12,570 feet of 12' ductile iron transmission line supplying Cumberland Heights Utility District and the construction of a new water pump station. This project will improve the quality of drinking water for the residents and allow Cunningham Utility District to support future growth within the service area.
  • Cherokee Hills Utility District will use a $500,000 loan and $923,000 grant to enhance several parts of the utility district. (1) Construct a new 50,000-gallon Steel Water Storage Standpipe and rehab the existing 50,000-gallon Fiberglass Composite Water Storage Tank for an emergency back-up (2) Complete Pump House replacement (3) Replace approximately 5,000-linear feet of existing water mains including the addition of seven 3-way fire hydrants and several new flush valves at the end of dead-end water mains (4) Construct a new 40-100 gallon per minute deep well to serve as a back-up water source.
  • The City of Tennessee Ridge will use a $500,000 loan and $432,000 grant to replace 5,000 feet of sewer line, construct a new pump station and refinance existing debt for the city of Tennessee Ridge. These improvements will increase the quality of service to residents of the city, while maintaining a reasonable monthly sewer bill.

Renewable Energy in Rural Communities:

Tennessee is investing $72,510 in renewable energy infrastructure through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Projects financed under this program can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that affects our climate.

  • Wampler’s Farm Sausage Company, Inc. will use as $20,000 grant to purchase and install a new freezer system. Wampler's Farm Sausage Company, Inc. is a private, locally owned business in Loudon County that primarily produces pork products for consumption. Project funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of insulation, compressors, condensers, and evaporators. This project will save an estimated 122,279 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 11 homes.
  • MHV Properties LLC will use a $8,327 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of replacement HVAC units with ductless heat pumps (16 SEER), multiple-zones and higher efficiencies. There will also be the addition of programmable HVAC controls and R-38 attic insulation. MHV Properties has a 13,762 square-foot multi-tenant commercial building constructed in 1910 within the downtown area of Waverly, Tenn. The project will realize $2,328.81 in savings and replace 393,859,228 BTU's (73.76 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power five homes.
  • Insalaco Farms will use a $20,000 grant to purchase and install an 18.42 kW solar array at Insalaco Farms, a locally owned produce grower. This project will generate 24,468 kWh per year which is enough to power two homes and produce $4,178 of income per year.
  • The Farm at Spring Creek, LLC will use a $14,800 grant to purchase and install a 24 kW two array system. Both arrays will be roof mounted: one on the existing business office and one on the future new pole barn adjacent to the office. The Farm at Spring Hill Creek, LLC is locally operated and primarily participates in beef production and other agriculture related activities. The project will generate 35,907 kWh of energy annually, which is enough electricity to power three homes.
  • So-Pak-Co, Inc. will use a $9,383 grant to purchase and install energy efficient lighting to replace the outdated system currently in use. So-Pak-Co, Inc. is a locally managed business based out of Greeneville, Tenn. that provides warehouse storage and logistic solutions to customers. Project funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of more efficient lighting throughout the warehouse that will replace the more costly system in place and will lower overall amperage. This project will save an estimated 59,688 kWh annually, which is enough electricity to power five homes.

Rural Electric Infrastructure Upgrades:

USDA is investing $17.4 million in loans in New Mexico and South Dakota through the Electric Loan Program to build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. The Electric Loan Program brings efficient, modern electric infrastructure to rural communities, and finances wind, solar, natural gas and clean energy production. The program also provides loans to electric utilities to support vegetation management, which helps prevent forest fires.

Biofuel Infrastructure:

USDA is investing $18.4 million in 20 states through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to build infrastructure to help expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels by approximately 218 million gallons per year. This will give consumers more environmentally-friendly fuel choices when they fill-up at the pump.

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.rd.usda.gov/tn.

 

###

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.