WASHINGTON, D.C.
Trump administration invests $462 million to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities
The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $462 million to modernize critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across rural America.
“Upgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water and modern wastewater management facilities will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities,” Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Background:
USDA is funding 161 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will benefit 467,000 residents. The following are examples of projects being funded under today’s announcement:
In North Bend, Wash., the Sallal Water Association will use a $6.5 million loan to construct a reservoir, a new headquarters building and a new well. The Association supplies potable water to about 1,700 connections serving approximately 5,000 people throughout its service area, which includes the Wilderness Rim Association. The system currently delivers 190 million gallons of water each year from three wells.
The Sanbornville Precinct in New Hampshire will use a $2.9 million loan and a $695,885 grant to replace outdated water system infrastructure dating from the 1930s. This project will resolve health and sanitary issues by upgrading the source pump house facility and replacing 2.3 miles of failing bituminous-coated steel water mains. These improvements will bring the system into compliance with state and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and provide enhanced water quality and reliability for 1,056 residents.
The town of Lawndale, N.C., will use an $872,000 loan and a $1.5 million grant to provide sanitary sewer service to an area of the town that is currently without sewer service. Many homes in the area depend on individual onsite septic systems which are failing. The proposed project will install approximately 16,785 linear feet of eight-inch gravity sewer line, 60 manholes, 141 cleanouts, service laterals, and make other upgrades to service 141 additional residences. Approximately 600 residents will benefit from the project.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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LAKE COUNTY
Community Event August 12 on Prop 15
The Lake County Democratic Party will host a virtual meeting on August 12, at 6 p.m. on Proposition 15: Schools and Communities First. This initiative was put on the ballot by a record-breaking 1.7 million people who believe wealthy corporations need to pay their fair share. Our guest speaker, Jerry Eaton serves on the CTA Governing Board, representing District A which encompasses nine counties including Lake.
Jerry Eaton is a veteran high school teacher in the Travis Unified School District in Solano County and former school board member in Vacaville Unified. A longtime union activist with 14 years of overall teaching experience, Eaton has been active with CTA at the state and local levels. He served for five years as a local delegate to the CTA State Council of Education, the union’s top governing body. For the Travis Unified Teachers Association, he served as vice president, political action committee chair and local school site representative, among other duties. Eaton contains a wealth of knowledge on the subject of school funding.
If passed by the voters, Proposition 15 would tax some commercial property based on its market value, rather than the price at which it was purchased. This would raise property taxes on some large businesses across the state, increasing funding for schools and local government. The measure would apply to commercial landowners with more than $3 million in property holdings, resulting in an estimated $6.5 to $11.5 billion more for cities, counties, and school districts.
Please join us to learn more. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpce-oqTsrHNJvGhiNRwn8sADrHhKM5tFH
All are welcome! You must register in advance to participate.
This event is hosted by the Programs & Recruitment Committee of the Lake County Democratic Party. All meetings are open to the public. Associate membership in the Lake County Democratic Central Committee is open to registered Democrats and dues are $30/annually. More information can be found at www.lakecountydemocrats.org
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