CONTACT: Kelly Edwards
Phone: 715-340-1264
E-mail: Kelly.edwards@wi.usda.gov
Recovery Act Funds Will Help Rural Economy and Create Jobs
STEVENS POINT, WI – – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director, Stan Gruszynski, congratulated the Village of Winneconne who received nearly $4.6 million, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, for a water and environmental project.
“President Obama’s Recovery Act has helped create jobs and lay a new foundation for economic growth during the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA has used Recovery Act funding to create badly-needed jobs and stimulate local economies, help farmers and rural businesses make it through tough times, ensure that struggling families can put food on the table, and build and revitalize critical infrastructure in rural communities across America.”
The Village of Winneconne, in Winnebago County Wis., has been selected to receive a $3,659,000 loan and a grant of $916,000 to construct a new wastewater treatment facility. The village is currently served by a community wastewater treatment system that was constructed in 1980. Although the existing facility has been well maintained, upgrades are needed to comply with requirements to meet the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wastewater Pollutant Discharge System Permit Program. Increased industrial flows and wet weather inflow and infiltration have also contributed to the need for upgrades. The new system will serve the 2,460 residents of the village and provide a safe and reliable wastewater collection & treatment system that allows for community growth and the protection of the environment.
“The improvements in rural Wisconsin’s water infrastructure are vital to the sustainability of our rural communities,” said Gruszynski. “Having clean water to drink shouldn’t be a privilege, but a right of every resident of Wisconsin. We are pleased that important projects such as these are among the ones funded and allow our rural residents a safer, cleaner living environment.”
Three additional Wisconsin projects were selected for funding by USDA Rural Development include:
* Village of Clyman: $2,317,000 loan; $1,727,000 grant; construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF)
* Country Estates Sanitary District: $1,456,000 loan; $3,120,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
* City of Mauston: $782,000 loan; $208,000 grant; water system improvements
* City of Mauston: $694,000 loan; $204,000 grant; wastewater system improvements
The funding announced today is administered by USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation’s economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA’s Recovery Act efforts is available at http://www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government’s efforts on the Recovery Act is available at http://www.recovery.gov.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. This past year, USDA Rural Development returned nearly $700 million to rural Wisconsin communities. The funding supports a wide variety of loan, guaranteed loan and grant programs to rural residents in the areas of housing, community facilities, business development, infrastructure, and other development needs. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs is available by visiting USDA’s website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi. USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
