U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue yesterday highlighted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments in Fiscal Year 2017 that will help construct or improve infrastructure and boost economic growth in rural communities.
“USDA is focused on improving rural America’s infrastructure,” Perdue said. “Investments such as the ones I’m highlighting today will improve the quality of life, create jobs, grow our economy and foster prosperity in rural areas.”
In FY 2017, USDA used funding from the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program to invest more than $40 million in 31 projects to repair, enhance or build infrastructure. These investments were for projects such as surface transportation, aviation, ports, water and storm water resources, energy production and generation and electricity transmission. They will benefit nearly 265,000 residents.
The investments are supporting projects in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont and Wyoming.
In Texas, Somerset in Bexar County received a $1.28 million loan to resurface cracking and degraded roadways, reduce sediment build-up along the roads and improve drainage. Ponding on the existing surface creates a dangerous loss of traction when it rains. In addition to serving residential, commercial, educational and agricultural uses, Somerset’s roads provide key access for emergency vehicles. The USDA loan will create safer travel conditions for Somerset’s residents and emergency responders.
Below are some other examples of infrastructure projects that Rural Development funded in FY 2017:
Alabama: The Grand Bay Water Works Board, Inc. received $80,000 to install a new 125 KW diesel generator and automatic transfer switch at the water office building and two diesel standby power units, which are located at a well treatment facility site.
California: The Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District in Tulare County received an $11.3 million loan to replace 10 miles of steel irrigation pipe and to make road improvements. The district provides essential community services to nearly 170 homes, farms, municipalities and businesses.
Florida: The city of Wauchula received $279,546 to purchase a side arm sanitation truck and 1,500 sanitation bins for the city. The new truck replaces three older ones that are unreliable and costly to repair. Replacement of this equipment will improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Georgia: The city of Ellaville received $39,000 to purchase three vehicles for Ellaville’s Public Works Department. The new trucks will replace high mileage, older vehicles to provide better and more efficient services to citizens.
Hawaii: The Hawaiian Shores Community Association received $2,050,000 to help finance replacement of the existing water storage tank with a 370,000 gallon tank, replace one of the two booster pumps, replace the hydropneumatic tank, upgrade the pressure relief valves, replace a section of piping to provide fire flow, install end-of-line clean outs and make electrical upgrades. The system improvements are projected to serve the current needs and the future growth of the community.
Iowa: The city of Lamoni received $313,940 to dismantle, transport and rebuild a used hanger large enough to house six small jets or midsize turbo prop aircraft; expand the taxiway and apron; expand the existing runway; and acquire land in order to expand the runway an additional 4,000 feet at the city’s airport.
Illinois: The Village of Energy received $251,000 to resurface 3,950 feet of the west side of College Street—the major east-west road through the town. This project will make extensive road repairs for safety and to attract more businesses while providing an essential community service to about 1,100 residents in the village.
Kansas: The city of Wilson received $75,000 to upgrade the city’s streets to support a new housing development and associated infrastructure.
Kentucky: The city of Hazard received $200,000 to renovate an old downtown bus station to enhance economic devel