COLUMBIA — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Jeff Case has announced that USDA is investing over $18 million in to improve vital water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the state. Over 9,600 rural Missourians will benefit from the funding.
“Addressing critical infrastructure needs is required to ensure Missouri’s rural communities continue to prosper and grow,” said Case. “Today’s announcement, investing over $18 million to improve necessary water and wastewater systems for six Missouri communities, is an excellent example demonstrating how USDA is committed to being rural communities’ partner in prosperity. When rural America thrives, all America thrives.”
USDA is providing the funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Eligible applicants include rural cities, towns and water districts. The funds can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities that meet population limits.
Among the six Missouri communities to receive funding is the City of Clarkton.
A $994,000 loan and $2,086,000 grant will be used by the City of Clarkton to make improvements to its water distribution and storage system to better provide its citizens with high quality potable water.
The announcement came as part of a larger statement in which USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced that the department is investing $281 million in 106 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities in 36 states and Puerto Rico.
“These investments will bring modern, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure to rural communities. They will replace deteriorating, leaking water pipes with new ones and upgrade water handling systems that are decades old. These investments create jobs and improve public health and safety for our rural neighbors,” Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo or by calling (573) 876-0995.
USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.