ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 14, 2021 – Untied States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director for Minnesota Cynthia Morales today announced nearly $4.2 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for 1,400 people living in rural Minnesota.
“Modern drinking water and wastewater disposal infrastructure are an essential aspect to the health and safety of rural communities and also their continued prosperity,” Morales said. “USDA has long been dedicated to assisting rural communities in need of these improvements with affordable financing options through several programs and by working with local partnerships to leverage funds. Projects like the ones being announced today help to enhance the attractive qualities of living in rural America.”
USDA is financing four projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will help improve rural infrastructure for 1,400 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 city of Ogilvie is receiving a $256,000 loan and a $310,000 grant to improve the wastewater treatment system by replacing outdated equipment and deteriorated infrastructure and updating the treatment process. These improvements will provide a better effluent water quality and ensure phosphorus and mercury are within the safety limits outlined by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
- The city of Waubun is receiving a $175,000 grant to make improvements to the city’s sewer system by conducting engineering studies and chemical testing to address excessive amounts of seeping organic material from leaky ponds.
- The city of Freeport is receiving a $2.7 million loan to improve water, sewer and storm sewer systems. Improvements will help to reduce health and safety concerns caused by infiltration of rainwater that is bypassing lift stations in the wastewater system during heavy rainfall. Improvements will also help to eliminate water main dead ends that are reducing water quality and bring storm sewer infrastructure up to safe standards required by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Sauk River Watershed District.
- The city of Ogilvie is also receiving a $427,000 loan and a $338,000 grant to make upgrades to the water distribution system by relocating and installing new watermain piping to replace deteriorating watermain attributed to being installed at a too shallow of depth. Several hydrants and corresponding infrastructure will also be replaced. This project is in coordination with a larger project to also replace damaged road.
Today’s investments are in coordination with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s recent announcement that the USDA is investing $272 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for 270,000 people living in rural communities across 37 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, contact a USDA Rural Development office.
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/mn. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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