Montgomery, Ala., October 14, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $1.8 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for 14,234 people living in 2 rural communities in northwest Alabama.
“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.”
USDA is financing 2 projects in northwest Alabama that will help improve rural infrastructure for 14,234 people and businesses through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
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.
USDA is announcing 2 investments today in northwest Alabama:
- In Colbert County, the city of Tuscumbia will receive a loan for $217,000 to acquire a small sewer line from an adjacent wastewater system which will allow the city to bore additional lines underneath a major thoroughfare to provide for future expansion of the system. The purchase will benefit rural businesses that are dependent on the line for wastewater services. It also will provide greater reliability and service to the city's customers.
- In Lauderdale County, the Chisholm Heights Water and Fire Protection Authority will receive a loan for $1,056,000 and a grant for $584,000 to make several upgrades to the authority’s water system, such as the addition of a water pumping booster station, supply line, master water meter and an additional water connection. The upgrades will reduce premature wear on the equipment and ensure a continual water supply for rural residents in the event of a main line failure.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Alabama, contact your local USDA Rural Development area office.
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.usda.gov.
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