U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director Irene Etsitty announced that USDA is funding three projects in Colorado to bring clean water, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and economic growth to rural communities as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.
“USDA invests in rural Colorado because we know strong communities are rooted in their people. Powering people with modern infrastructure creates good-paying jobs and supports great opportunities to build brighter futures,” said Etsitty.
In Colorado, three projects totaling $30,389,000 in investments were financed through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to help state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build and improve rural wastewater systems. The funding enables rural communities to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and stormwater drainage. The projects funded include:
• Galeton Water & Sanitation District in Northern Colorado will utilize a $1,789,000 loan/grant combination to rehabilitate its wastewater treatment plant, protect the health of approximately 123 people.
• The Town of Wiley in Southeastern Colorado will construct a new wastewater treatment plant with $7,437,000 loan/grant combination. The project will construct a new, complete evaporative pond system consisting of three appropriately sized ponds and all associated yard piping. When completed, the new system will be non-discharging and completely evaporative, eliminating the uncontrolled discharge of untreated wastewater and ensuring reliable wastewater treatment for the 405 residents of this rural town.
• The City of Fort Lupton will utilize a $21,163,000 loan to construct a pipeline and lift station to connect to the nearby North Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant (NMWWTP). By making this connection, the City will be able to ensure the 5,102 residents have reliable wastewater treatment compliant with all regulations and be cost effective by not having pay costly maintenance on its own plant.
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. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov/co.