The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today, that they will make a substantial investment of $808 million to bolster rural cooperatives and utilities, fortifying electric infrastructure and enhancing electric grid reliability and security. This will aim to connect hundreds of thousands of people in rural regions, offering a lifeline to cleaner drinking water and more effective sanitary wastewater systems.
A Boost for Communities
Today’s announcement is set to benefit nearly 480,000 individuals residing across 36 states and two U.S. territories. Beyond its immediate impact, this investment will also include rural infrastructure and employment opportunities.
Empowering Strong Communities
“USDA invests in rural America because we know strong communities are rooted in their people,” underscores USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. He elucidates the transformative power of modern infrastructure in generating well-paying employment opportunities, ultimately enabling individuals to craft brighter, more prosperous futures.
Wide-Ranging Impact
The 139 investments will reverberate across various states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and the Marshall Islands. The impact is tangible and far-reaching:
- In Safford, Arizona, a community of 10,000 will gain reliable access to clean drinking water.
- Star, North Carolina, will see more than 800 residents reaping the benefits of water improvements that mitigate health risks by removing lead-based paint from elevated storage tanks.
- In Irwin, Iowa, over 300 individuals will embrace dependable drinking water, facilitated by the replacement of steel, cast iron, and lead service lines with copper lines in the water distribution system. Moreover, households and businesses in northern Indiana will be united by 132 miles of dependable electric infrastructure.
- Waterloo, New York, and Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, will both witness upgrades that underscore a commitment to reliable and safe drinking water.
Driving Forward with Purpose
USDA is poised to execute these investments through a comprehensive array of programs, including the Electric Loan Program, Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program, Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees Program, Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks for Colonias Program, Solid Waste Management Grants Program, Community Facilities Program, Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program, and the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
This announcement further propels the pioneering Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. By allocating $78 million to lead pipe remediation, the administration takes a decisive step in confronting the challenge of lead pipes and service lines. With up to 10 million American households relying on such systems, the administration has set an ambitious goal – replacing all lead service lines in the U.S. within the next decade.
Under the stewardship of the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development will extend loans and grants that help with economic prospects and job creation. These initiatives span infrastructure enhancements, business development, housing initiatives, community facilities, and crucial access to high-speed internet in rural, tribal, and high-poverty zones.
For more information, visit the USDA Rural Development website: www.rd.usda.gov.
