Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a grant of $1,230,000 for the Village of Montour Falls in Schuyler County and City of Norwich in Chenango County. The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Specifically, the Village of Montour Falls will receive $500,000 in federal funds along with a federal low-interest loan of $695,000 to rehabilitate the Village’s wastewater collection system. The loan is set for 38 years at 1.625 percent. The City of Norwich will receive $35,000 in federal funds to cover additional work related to the removal of contaminated soil, delaying the start of the tank construction.
“This is a big win for the Southern Tier,” said Senator Schumer. “We must ensure that our communities have the resources they need to maintain their infrastructure. This federal funding will allow Montour Falls and Norwich to complete critical upgrades to their water systems and continue delivering safe, consistent water service to their residents for generations to come.”
“These federal funds will allow Village of Montour Falls and City of Norwich to upgrade their water infrastructure,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “This upgrade to the towns’ water system will help protect the health and quality of life for residents by delivering clean water to more local families.”
“We are extremely pleased and grateful to receive this significant USDA award. It will enable Montour Falls to make much needed improvements and upgrades to the village’s aging sanitary water collection system. We hope to begin the work early in the spring of 2017,” said Village of Montour Falls Mayor of John King.
“It is with the help of the Federal government (USDA-RD) that the City of Norwich was able to initiate and will soon complete this $2 Million Plus project benefiting the residents of our City and local community,” said Mayor Christine A. Carnrike of Norwich.
“The service we received from the USDA and the state director was extraordinary. They guided and supported us and the authenticity that they demonstrated in helping see this project through was evident from the beginning. I and the community are extremely thankful for their assistance,” said Webb Town Supervisor Robert A. Moore. “The USDA’s investment and support for infrastructure is an investment in our future. The strong representation of New York State by Senators Gillibrand and Schumer is helpful for receiving these opportunities. I encourage other communities to reach out to them for help in the future.”
USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal 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.