BOZEMAN, Mont., Dec. 16, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Montana Acting State Director Jake Ceartin today announced that USDA is investing $25,798,000 to build and improve critical water and wastewater infrastructure in Montana’s rural areas.
“Water is a critical resource for every community and a vital part of public health and economic growth,” Ceartin stated. “During this funding round, and through our Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), we’ve been able to assist five entities with the financial backing needed to build or repair water and wastewater infrastructure. We are honored to come alongside our rural Montana communities and deliver the capital needed to help our state prosper and thrive.”
Background
As part of today’s announcement, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted 359 investments that USDA is making in seven programs designed to help people in rural areas access high-speed internet, clean water and dependable electric power. These programs include Community Connect Grants, Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees, Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants and Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants.
The investments announced today will support rural infrastructure projects in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.
A complete list of awards and recipients may be found by CLICKING HERE.
In Montana, as part of today’s announcement:
- The town of Fairfield will receive a loan for $263,000 through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to replace leaking copper service lines and deteriorating asbestos cement distribution system piping, which dates to the 1940s. Funding will also provide the additional looping-in of specific system locations, and will help the town replace fire hydrants and gate valves, along with various other appurtenances and fittings.
- Lockwood Water and Sewer District will receive a loan for $19,300,000 through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program, which will be used for the Phase Three sewer sub-district project area. Funds will be used for the installation of nearly 70,640 lineal feet of gravity sewer main with manholes.
- The city of Thompson Falls will receive a loan for $1,743,000 and a grant for $4,432,000 through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to help the city upgrade and extend their wastewater collection and treatment systems. This Phase Three funding will support the continuation of the Phase One and Phase Two projects that are currently in construction and partially funded by USDA Rural Development. Phase Three will add 189 parcels and connect to the upgraded Lagoon Wastewater Treatment System. Adding these users will contribute revenue to the operations and maintenance of the entire system and connect a large portion of the town that was previously not connected.
- The town of Twin Bridges will receive a Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant for $30,000 to complete a preliminary engineering report and an environmental report to assess the town of Twin Bridges' aging water system. The reports will also evaluate and address water and waste disposal storage capacity issues.
- Martinsdale Water and Sewer District will receive a Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant for $30,000 to complete a preliminary engineering report and an environmental report for their water system, which services White Sulphur Springs. These reports will determine improvements needed for an aging system that is nearly sixty years old and will evaluate and address improvements that may include developing a second water source, replacing seven of the original ten fire hydrants, and replacing water mains and services lines which date back to the original installation of the system.
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/mt.. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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