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USDA Invests over $18 Million in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements for Rural Missourians

Name
Lindsay Cheek
City
Columbia
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Jeff Case today announced that USDA is investing over $18 million to improve vital water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the state.  Over 9,600 rural Missourians will benefit from the funding.

“Addressing critical infrastructure needs is required to ensure Missouri’s rural communities continue to prosper and grow,” said Case.  “Today’s announcement, investing over $18 million to improve necessary water and wastewater systems for six Missouri communities, is an excellent example demonstrating how USDA is committed to being rural communities’ partner in prosperity.  When rural America thrives, all America thrives.”

USDA is providing the funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Eligible applicants include rural cities, towns and water districts. The funds can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities that meet population limits. 

Case announced the following six Missouri communities will receive funding:

  • The City of Monroe City will receive a $5,305,000 loan and $3,994,000 grant to update its outdated wastewater treatment system.  The facility and equipment are no longer able to effectively or efficiently meet limits set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This project will correct those issues, providing a safer and more reliable system for all residents and businesses in Monroe City.
  • The City of Holts Summit is partnering in the creation of a regional wastewater treatment system.  A $2,173,800 loan will be used by the city to build a regional pump station at its existing wastewater treatment facility to transport untreated wastewater to nearby Jefferson City for treatment.  This project will also extend the collection system to include five (5) areas within the city limits that are not currently part of the city's wastewater system.
  • The City of Granby will receive a $1,601,000 loan and $1,049,000 grant to update its outdated wastewater treatment system.  Its facility and equipment are no longer able to effectively or efficiently meet limits set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  This project will correct those issues and make other system improvements, providing a safer and more reliable system for all residents in Granby.
  • A $994,000 loan and $2,086,000 grant will be used by the City of Clarkton to make improvements to its water distribution and storage system to better provide its citizens with high quality potable water. 
  • The City of Forest City will receive a $370,000 loan and $283,000 grant to complete improvements to its aging water system. A new 50,000-gallon storage tank and over six (6) miles of additional water distribution lines will help provide clean potable water for Forest City residents.
  • A $144,000 loan and $113,000 grant will complete improvements to the Village of DeKalb’s aging water system.  A new 75,000-gallon storage tank and water main improvements will help provide safe, clean potable water to DeKalb’s citizens.

Today’s announcement came as part of a larger statement in which USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced that the department is investing $281 million in 106 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities in 36 states and Puerto Rico.

“These investments will bring modern, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure to rural communities. They will replace deteriorating, leaking water pipes with new ones and upgrade water handling systems that are decades old. These investments create jobs and improve public health and safety for our rural neighbors,” Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

Contact USDA Rural Development

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo or by calling (573) 876-0995.

USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri.  Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.