U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins today announced a $9.7 million infrastructure investment for four Upper Peninsula communities.
“This is great news for the western Upper Peninsula,” said Fewins. “USDA Rural Development is continuing to work with these communities to ensure clean drinking water and to protect the environment.”
A total of $7,887,000 in loans and $1,856,000 in grants are included in today’s announcement, which focuses on projects in Gogebic, Houghton and Baraga counties.
The City of Wakefield, in Gogebic County, will use a $2,925,000 loan for improvements to their water system. The project will replace 13,900 feet of watermain along with hydrants and valves.
Portage Charter Township, in Houghton County, will use a $217,000 loan and $1,481,000 grant to extend the municipal sewer collection system to an additional 62 homes and businesses that have failing septic systems.
The North Houghton County Water and Sewage Authority, also in Houghton County, will use a $4,620,000 loan to make improvements to the wastewater collection and treatment system. The project will repair and replace lines in the highest priority areas as well as provide an additional equalization basin that will help maintain consistent flows through the existing treatment facility.
The Village of L’Anse, in Baraga County, will use a $125,000 loan and $375,000 grant to complete improvements to their wastewater collection/treatment system. The project includes replacement of existing collection pipes and upgrades to mechanical components of the facility. The overall goals of the project are to improve operational efficiency and decrease the environmental impacts of pipes that have outlived their useful life span
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, promoting competition and 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.