April 22, 2014
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.4 Million in Farm Bill Funding for Rural Development Projects in Southeastern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development division has awarded two communities in Illinois $1,432,500 in grant funding for water and waste disposal projects. Under this announcement, the following communities will receive funding:
- The Birds-Pinkstaff Water District in Lawrenceville, Illinois will receive a loan of $2,210,000 and a grant of $1,114,500. This funding will be used to construct a new 150,000 gallon elevated storage tank and replace waterlines that are over 50 years old, in addition to extending water service to 85 new users. The project will help alleviate the health hazard that can exist with an insufficient backup water supply.
- The Village of Browns will receive a loan of $380,000 and a grant of $318,500. This funding will be used to renovate the existing pressure sewer system and replace pumps, floats, filters, lids, and risers. The funding will also help renovate an emergency generator and rebuild the concrete effluent structure at the discharge site into Bonpas Creek.
“This federal investment – made available through this year’s Farm Bill – will improve public health and support local construction jobs as renovations are made on critical local infrastructure projects,” Durbin said.
The funding announced today was made available through the 2014 Farm Bill. USDA Rural Water and Waste Disposal Loans are used to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems, including solid waste disposal and storm drainage systems in rural areas and towns with populations under 10,000. Funds are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, Indian tribes, and corporations not operated for profit. Additionally, Water and Waste Disposal Grants seek to reduce water and waste disposal costs to a reasonable level for rural areas.