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ST.
PAUL, Minn., Aug. 5, 2004 –- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
today was joined at the State Capital by community leaders from several
rural Minnesota communities for an announcement of over $17.3 million in
grants and low-interest loans to assist with basic community water and
wastewater infrastructure in Minnesota. The newly announced USDA Rural
Development funds are part of the overall infrastructure investment of
$141 million by the Bush Administration to help rural Minnesota
communities and residents increase their economic opportunity and improve
their overall quality of life.
"Investing in basic community infrastructure supports
President Bush's vision for a strong and vibrant rural America," said
Veneman. "Rural communities are the heart and soul of our Nation and they
are emblematic of the unique character of the American people."
Funds announced today include $6,643,800 in grants
and $10,692,300 in loans. For the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, $3.55 million
in loan and grant funds will assist in the consolidation of the
community's various water systems, creating a more efficient
single-system. The City of Bird Island has been approved for a $3.39
million loan to separate the existing sewer/storm water distribution
system to ease the demand on the existing sewage treatment ponds. In other
Minnesota communities, funds will allow for drilling of new water wells,
construct sewage treatment facilities, upgrade existing infrastructure and
address other community health and safety needs.
In addition to the newly announced funds, Veneman
highlighted other recent funding announcements, including funds for the
Garrison Kathio/West Mille Lacs Sanitary Sewer District who recently
received $4,000,000 in loans and grants to construct a sanitary sewer
collection system along the west side of Mille Lacs Lake. The new system
will benefit approximately 2,400 local residents and help meet system
demands created by the large volume of tourism traffic during peak fishing
seasons.
Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, USDA
Rural Development has nationally funded $5.4 billion in loans and grants
to assist communities in the construction or improvement of over 3,578
water or wastewater systems. The investment has benefited more than 2.7
million people living in rural areas. In Minnesota, USDA Rural Development
invested over $141 million to support building and renovating rural
community infrastructure, benefiting nearly 66,000 rural Minnesotans.
Funding announced today
includes:
|
City |
Grant Funding |
Loan Funding |
|
Bird Island |
$1,600,000 |
$3,392,000 |
|
Leech Lake Band of
Ojibwe |
$2,226,000 |
$1,359,300 |
|
Hoffman |
$401,500 |
$1,770,000 |
|
Ulen |
$607,000 |
$1,352,000 |
|
Hill City |
$433,000 |
$1,018,000 |
|
Ogema |
$619,000 |
$372,000 |
|
Alberta |
$365,000 |
$475,000 |
|
Storden |
---- |
$135,000 |
|
Urbank |
$350,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Kettle River |
$42,300 |
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|
Conger |
---- |
$719,000 |
|
Total |
$6,643,800 |
$10,692,300 | |
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