PRESTON, Idaho, Feb. 2, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Idaho State Director Rudy Soto today announced that USDA is investing additional funding to improve the City of Preston’s infrastructure. This investment will help make improvements to the aging wastewater treatment and collection system in this rural community.
“I want to extend the upmost gratitude to the many leaders who had a helping hand in bringing these much needed investments to bear for the City of Preston and surrounding communities,” Soto said. “Clean and sanitary water is essential to our existence. This is also a crucial step towards expanding economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for Southeast Idaho for generations to come.”
Over the last two years, the City of Preston has received a total of $32 million in loan and $16 million in grant through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs to make major improvements to the city’s wastewater system. In 2021 the agency provided $23.3 million in loan and $5.8 million in grant. Today the agency is investing an additional $8.9 million loan and $10.3 million grant to support the project's completion.
These project funds will help replace collection lines, construct a new oxidation ditch treatment plant, and make significant improvements to the overall system. Overall, this project will establish a long-term solution to manage solid waste as efficiently and cost effectively as possible to prepare for population growth over the next 50 years.
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/id.
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.