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USDA Rural Development approves water projectsKansas U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks has announced the agency has approved $16,124,600 in first-half Fiscal Year 2008 funding for nine rural water service and sewer projects serving Kansas. The approved funding, split between $11,790,500 in loans and $4,334,100 in grants, will support the construction and/or completion of the important infrastructure projects that will provide long-term benefits to over 6,700 Kansans living in nine communities or service areas. "USDA Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Program is one of the most important community and economic development efforts this Agency undertakes," Banks said. These USDA funds, combined with the agency's technical assistance which supports local leadership, helps make these critically needed services a reality. "It is important that rural Kansans keep pace with their basic need to have access to safe and reliable water sources. Additionally, this valuable USDA program promotes economic growth and enhances the quality of life for the area residents served by these projects and all of Kansas."
The nine new construction projects approved for funding by USDA Rural Development are: --Oskaloosa: $4,150,000 ($3,199,000 direct loan and $951,000 grant) Funding of this project, which will benefit a population of 1165, will repair the city's sewer collection system by installing new replacement pipe in approximately 25% of the system and rehabilitating the balance of the lines in the system. The project will also consist of rehabilitating or replacing most of the manholes. --St. Paul: $285,500 (direct loan) This project, benefiting 646 residents, will replace the obsolete Raw Water Intake Structure and construct a pump house. Approximately 640 city residents will benefit from the project. USDA Rural Development funding will be leveraged with a $285,500 Community Development Block Grant. --Hartford: $1,365,000 ($688,000 direct loan and $677,000 grant) The project, benefiting 500 residents, will replace the city's corroded cast iron water lines with new lines, install new fire hydrants, and rehabilitate the existing elevated water storage tank. USDA Rural Development funding will be complemented with a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant. --Stockton: $4,867,700 ($4,046,000 direct loan and $821,700 grant) Funding of this project will benefit 1558 residents by replacing 37 blocks of water mains and broken or obsolete fire hydrants. USDA Rural Development funding will be combined with a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant. --Circleville: $580,000 ($255,000 direct loan and $325,000 grant) This project will consist of installing new water lines, fire hydrants, and valves for the benefit of 185 city residents. The project will also include constructing a new water tower. USDA Rural Development funding will be leveraged with a $370,000 Community Development Block Grant. --Lecompton: $455,100 ($286,000 direct loan and $169,100 grant) The project, benefiting 608 rural residents, will construct a new elevated water storage tank and install pressure reducing valves on some of the meters. USDA Rural Development funding will be combined with a $304,900 Community Development Block Grant. --Onaga: $3,268,000 ($2,187,000 direct loan and $1,081,000 grant) Funding of this project, which will benefit a population of 704 residents, will be used for installation of new water lines, installation of fire hydrants, and construction of a water tower. USDA Rural Development funding will be complemented with a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant. --Neosho Rapids: $780,000 ($608,000 direct loan and $172,000 grant) The project will convert a three cell lagoon system into a four cell lagoon system for 274 city residents. The project will also consist of installing new force main, new collection lines, and improvements to a lift station. USDA Rural Development funding will be leveraged with a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant. --Westmoreland: $373,300 ($236,000 direct loan and $137,300 grant) This project, benefiting 631 rural residents, will construct a new ground storage tank and install about 5 miles of water lines within the city. USDA Rural Development funding will be combined with a $356,730 Community Development Block Grant. During the announcement, State Director Banks thanked the Kansas Congressional Delegation for their continued support of the agency's Water and Waste Disposal Program, along with the many other USDA Rural Development programs. "Over the past fifteen years alone, the agency's Water and Waste Disposal Program has invested over $274 million towards the Sunflower State's economy, benefiting more than 234,000 rural Kansans. We should all thank our U.S. Senators and Representatives for supporting this benefit to the entire State," remarked Banks. USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs that support increasing economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for rural Americans. As a venture capital entity, USDA Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural America. Since 2001, USDA Rural Development has delivered over $1.2 billion for Kansas covering all Agency programs, supporting well over $6 billion in future economic development for the Sunflower State. For additional information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, interested parties may call the agency's state headquarters at 785-271-2700 or log onto the state's USDA Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks.
Date: 5/15/08
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