U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Alaska Julia Hnilicka today announced 21 projects to improve infrastructure for people in rural Alaska. These projects are funded by a $9.2 million investment from USDA.
“The Biden-Harris administration is dedicated to the health and safety of rural Alaskans, as evidenced by these investments across rural Alaska,” State Director Julia Hnilicka said. “Water and wastewater infrastructure across Alaska is critical to the wellness of our children, Elders, and rural residents. As we experience rural Alaskan water systems aging and degrading, President Biden is committed to supporting rural Alaska through Federal funding for upgrades and expansions. USDA Rural Development in Alaska is proud to announce these projects to support rural Alaskan communities.”
For example:
- In Seldovia, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium will use a $2.5 million Rural Alaska Village Grant to help the community improve their wastewater treatment system. The project will include replacing the cast iron and ductile iron slough sewer mains with HDPE piping, reconstructing 23 services with jointless HDPE piping, and removing and capping five cleanouts in the slough. ANTHC will use a separate $1.2 million Rural Alaska Village Grant to help Seldovia to design an aerated lagoon, sewer force main, and marine outfall.
- In New Stuyahok, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium will use a $1.7 million Rural Alaska Village Grant to help complete a new water treatment plant.
- In Mekoryuk, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium will use a $1.1 million Rural Alaska Village Grant to help replace flush tank and haul units to eight homes, and repair and replace damaged floor supports, plywood flooring, and bathroom and shower fixtures in the washeteria's bathrooms.
Other investments in Alaska include grants to support essential community projects such as digging wells and developing water treatment plants.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA 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/ak.
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