U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins today announced $16,916,000 in loans and grants for two Thumb area communities.
“It is great to see the Thumb getting long-term investments in essential infrastructure,” said Fewins. “These improvements exemplify USDA’s commitment to rural Michigan.”
The funds are in addition to $2.5 million for water and sewer improvements in the Upper Peninsula announced last week.
The Village of Mayville, in Tuscola County, will use a $4,501,000 loan and $9,999,000 grant to complete phase two of an ongoing project to improve their aging and ineffective sewer and lagoon system. The lagoon cells are in poor condition and are currently leaking, causing an island to form. This project will correct all the issues with the sewer lagoons in order to provide a more efficient system for the village.
The Village of Lexington, in Sanilac County, will use a $2,416,000 loan to make improvements to the water system. This project will double the existing capacity to better suit the village's needs. A ground storage tank will be added to improve water pressure and prevent contamination and backflow. Upgraded water meters will help reduce operating and maintenance costs. The project also adds a connection to a neighboring township to provide a backup source of water in case of extreme emergencies.
USDA is financing these projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to help state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build and improve rural wastewater systems. The funding enables rural communities to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and stormwater drainage.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under 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.