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Investments to Help People Living in 7 Communities in Puerto Rico and 37 States
San Juan, Puerto Rico- October. 14, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $272 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for 270,000 people living in rural communities across 37 states and Puerto Rico.
“As people in many parts of the nation battle drought and fires brought on by climate change, there has never been a more urgent need for this assistance,” Vilsack said. “When we invest in rural infrastructure, we build opportunity and prosperity for people in rural communities. These investments support the local economy by making rural communities attractive, economically viable and safe places to live and work, therefore helping to create and save jobs by attracting and retaining employers and workers. Investing in rural water infrastructure is one of the many things the Biden-Harris Administration is doing to help the nation build back better during the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Luis R. García, USDA Rural Development Acting State Director for Puerto Rico indicated that Agency is financing 107 projects nationwide and 7 in the island, through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will help improve rural infrastructure for 270,000 people and businesses.
Background:
The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage. The program serves people and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
For example, as part of today’s announcement:
- The Rural Aqueduct Mana located in the municipality of Corozal, is receiving a grant of $110,000. This aqueduct serves 2,093 residents. The funds will be used to buy an electric generator and minors repairs for the maintenance of its facilities. During Hurricane Marie the community was without electricity for 8 months. Without electricity they were unable to provide regular service for drinking water. This investment will solve the problem.
- Cuyon Water Services Inc. Rural Aqueduct located in the municipality of Aibonito, is receiving $31,000 grants for an electric water pump to operate their only water source, a 400-feet well. With this generator will help ensure the community continuous water supply.
- Comunidad Cedrito Rural Aqueduct located in Comerio. After Hurricane Maria they were seven months without electricity and without electricity there was no water service. With this $37,000 grant they will purchase an electric generator that would help them ensure the community has a continues water supply.
- Other Rural Aqueduct investment in the Island were Acueducto Rural Turabo Arriba in Caguas they were awarded $21,000 grant; Asociación de Residentes Sector La Cuesta of Caguas were awarded $21,000 grant; Comunidad Sabana Inc. were awarded $35,000 grant and Comunidad Vacas in Villalba were awarded $17,000 grant.
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 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. You can follow us at our Twitter Account, @RD_PuertoRico.
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