USDA Grants to Fund Rural Water Infrastructure

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced nearly $11 million in loans and grants to several rural Indiana communities. The funding will be used to upgrade water and wastewater systems in the towns.

The investments are part of the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. More than 100 infrastructure projects throughout the county are receiving a total of $267 million through the program.

"Robust, modern infrastructure is foundational for quality of life and economic opportunity – no matter what zip code you live in," Anne Hazlett, assistant to the secretary for rural development, said in a news release. "Under Secretary Perdue’s leadership, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in addressing rural infrastructure needs to support a more prosperous future in rural communities."

The five Indiana recipients include:

• Town of Elberfeld (Warrick County): Receiving a $473,900 loan and a $200,000 grant to fund a cost overrun for an original project upgrading a wastewater treatment plant and system.
• Town of Gaston (Delaware County): Receiving a $1,228,000 loan and a $584,000 grant for improvements to the town’s wastewater treatment plant, including elimination of its existing dry well raw sewage lift station and conversion into a new pumping station.
• Town of North Judson (Starke County): Receiving a $4,892,000 loan to convert a portion of the town’s combined sewer collection system into separate sanitary and storm sewers.  The town is currently under an agreed order with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
• Town of Oxford (Benton County): Receiving a $350,000 loan to fund a subsequent loan for a project already in progress. A combined sewer overflow system will be separated due to health and sanitary issues. Previous funding for this project is a $5,821,000 loan and $2,588,000 grant awarded in 2016.
• Town of Kingman (Fountain County) Receiving a $810,000 loan and a $2,325,000 grant to upgrade a wastewater collection system and treatment plant.  The system serves the 484 residents of the town, and is dealing with health and sanitary issues.