Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the USDA will provide a total of $1,728,725 to Fort Plain through the Rural Development Water and Environmental Program, funded by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. $1,357,000 will be given in the form of a loan, and $371,725 will be a direct grant for water system improvement.
“This is great news for Fort Plain. The Village was hit hard by the 2006 flood and their water system infrastructure was left particularly vulnerable. Investing in projects like these creates jobs and provides safe, quality water to residents in the community” said Schumer. “I will continue to fight for funding to help maintain and upgrade our local water infrastructure and sewer systems.”
“This is a great investment for Fort Plain,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This federal investment will help upgrade critical water infrastructure and deliver safe drinking water to families in the area. I will continue working with Senator Schumer to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”
The USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program helps to finance essential water infrastructure initiatives in rural areas. The loans and grants are directed towards providing clean drinking water, sanitary sewer conditions, as well as solid waste and storm drainage facilities. The grants are available by application to public bodies, nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes. The Water and Environmental Program also has grants available for training and technical assistance. To date, the USDA has provided $1.96 billion in loans and grants for water and environmental projects throughout the country.