New York State Director for Rural Development Richard Mayfield today announced that USDA is investing over $15 million in 5 projects across New York State to improve rural water infrastructure.
“President Trump and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Perdue were very clear when they directed Rural Development to identify and meet rural water needs as a foundational pillar in improving rural infrastructure,” Mayfield said. “Safe and reliable water infrastructure is critical to the health, safety, and economic vitality of rural America. Without access to safe water and functional wastewater treatment, sustainable growth in rural areas is not possible.”
USDA is making a national investment of $192 million, across 71 projects, through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
Below are some examples of the today’s investments:
- Town of York This Rural Development investment of $1,038,000 in loan and $830,000 in grant will be used to construct the Anderson Road waterline extension. This project will extend public water to nearly 189 residential users and will eliminate the public health risks associated with poor water quality and quantity of ground water in the area.
- Town of Alexandria This Rural Development investment of $2,191,000 in loan and $1,061,000 in grant will be used to construct a public sewer system in the town. This project will extend sewer system access to 386 residential users and will alleviate health and safety concerns.
- Town of Pomfret This Rural Development investment of $3,224,000 in loan will be used to improve a water system in the town. This project will benefit more than 700 residents and will include all new distribution piping, new valves, new fire hydrants, new water services and new meters.
- Town of New Haven This Rural Development investment of $1,840,000 in loan and $1,400,000 in grant will be used to construct Water Service Area #9 in the town. This project will benefit 273 residents who have yet to receive municipal water.
- Town of Schroeppel This Rural Development investment of $2,554,000 in loan and $1,200,000 in grant will be used to create a new municipal water distribution system in the town. This project will extend public water service to 551 residential units and 12 commercial properties.
USDA is announcing investments today in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks. Congress appropriated $2.9 billion for USDA Water and Environmental Program loans and grants in fiscal year 2019.
View the interactive RD Apply tool or contact one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices for application or eligibility information.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.