USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode on Monday announced funding for seven water and waste water projects across Tennessee. Rhea County and the Watts Bar Utility District were included. The funding is available through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, which provides assistance and financing to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems for communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
“Our agency is providing over $8.5 million in grants and loans to small rural communities in Tennessee to improve water systems,” Mr. Goode said. “Investments in water projects have a huge impact on the citizens and businesses in the area.
Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making investments to improve water and waste infrastructure for 168 small towns across the country, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with a total investment of $283 million.
“Strong infrastructure is critical to keeping America's communities of all sizes thriving, and USDA is proud to partner with the National Rural Water Association to help improve the livelihood of our smallest towns by providing access to reliable water and wastewater systems," said Mr. Vilsack. "Projects like these are critical to the economy, health and future of rural America, and today 19 million residents now have improved water and wastewater services in their communities thanks to investments USDA has made since 2009."
Those communities in Tennessee receiving the grants and loans are:
Hartsville-Trousdale County $1,850,000 Loan $619,400 Grant
City of Lobelville $470,000 Loan $180,000 Grant
City of Loretto $536,000 Loan $100,200 Grant
North Utility District of Rhea Co. $45,000 Grant
Town of Selmer $2,413,000 Loan $805,000 Grant
South Giles Utility District $300,000 Loan
Watts Bar Utility District $1,050,000 Loan $350,000 Grant
Monday's funding builds on USDA's historic investments in rural America over the past seven years. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses in 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing more than $6.6 billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees, and grants.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs available in Tennessee contact the State Office at 615 783-1300, or online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.