DES MOINES – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced Dec. 4 that USDA is investing $1.2 billion to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure for 936,000 rural Americans living in 46 states.
Ten of the projects are assisting more than 52,000 rural Iowa residents across the state. These 10 projects are receiving a total of $59,178,000 in loan and grant funding from USDA Rural Development.
“Access to water is a key driver for economic opportunity and quality of life in rural communities,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in building prosperity through modern water infrastructure.”
USDA is providing financing for 234 water and environmental infrastructure projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The funding can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
“Robust, state-of-the-art water infrastructure provides a firm foundation for economic development and prosperity in rural communities,” said Grant Menke, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “By partnering with rural communities and embracing innovation, USDA is committed to ensuring rural Iowans have the infrastructure needed to thrive.”
Eligible communities and water districts can apply online on the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.
Southern Iowa Rural Water Association in Creston is receiving a $22,220,000 loan to help develop a water treatment plant. This project will allow the association to transition to owning its own water source and treatment facility. This will result in improved water service for approximately 33,500 rural customers in the association’s 12-county service area in southern Iowa.
Other projects in Iowa went to cities of Anita, Marathon, Livermore, Pisgah, Lewis, Adair and Adel, and Logansport Water System in Boone County and Iowa Lakes Regional Water in Spencer.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, go to www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-prosperity-report.pdf. In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, go to www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-task-force-infographic.pdf.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas.
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/ia or by calling 515-284-4663.