USDA Rural Development Awards More Than $14.8 Million in Recovery Act Funding to 10 New York Water Projects

SYRACUSE, NY - May 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 10 New York water and wastewater projects will receive $14,869,400 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The New York awards are part of $143 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded through ARRA. The projects will provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for 63 rural communities in 21 states.

“Anyone who has lived with ‘bad’ water realizes how essential clean, safe and reliable water is to daily life,” said Acting New York State Director for Rural Development Scott Collins. “This funding will provide drinkable, usable water for thousands of rural New Yorkers and support two wastewater projects which will alleviate environmental concerns in their areas while improving service.”

In most cases, the projects will be funded through a combination of loans and grants. The New York project funding amounts, along with the loan and grant breakdown, are provided below. All loans are for 38 years and interest rates range from 2.75 percent to 3.75 percent.

• Town of Darien Sumner Road Water District, Genesee County, $265,700. Funds will be distributed as an $189,700 grant and a $76,000 loan.
• Town of Hastings Fuller Road Water District, Oswego County, $3,104,500. Grant $904,500; loan $2,200,000.
• Town of Keene Water District #2, Essex County, $3,100,000. Grant $3 million; loan $100,000.
• Town of Madrid wastewater treatment plant upgrade, St. Lawrence County, $2,618,000. Grant $78,000; loan $2,540,000.
• Town of Shelby Water District #9, Orleans County, $841,000. Grant $395,000; loan $446,000.
• Town of Stafford Water District #7, Genesee County, $659,900. Grant $291,900; loan $368,000.
• Town of Trenton Hamlet of Hinckley wastewater collection and treatment system, Oneida County, $576,300. Grant $432,300; loan $144,000.
• Town of Volney Airport Water District Extension 1, Oswego County, $1,239,500. Grant $389,500; loan $850,000.
• Town of Volney Kingdom Road Water District, Oswego County, $964,500. Grant $336,500; loan $628,000.
• Village of Wurtsboro water system, Sullivan County, $1.5 million loan.

USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program 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. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) 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 www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government’s efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.

For more information on USDA Rural Development programs, contact the Rural Development state office at (315) 477-6400 or visit Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ny.

Media Contact:
Tim Jones (315) 477-6436
timothy.jones (at) ny.usda (dot) gov

Tagged as: ARRA, USDA