Six Michigan projects were granted federal loans to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities this week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that $267 million in loans would be spread across 103 infrastructure projects across the country for water and sewer system improvements in rural communities.
Of those, six projects that impact nine communities were in Michigan:
– A $900,000 loan for the North Houghton County Water and Sewage Authority – serving Calumet Township, Osceola Township, the village of Calumet and the village of Laurium to improve the wastewater, sewer collection and treatment system
– A $475,000 loan for a water main extension in Kochville Township, in Saginaw County
– A $2.14 million loan for Caledonia Charter Township in Shiawassee County for improvements to their water distribution system which obtains water from Owosso
– A $468,000 loan and a $379,000 grant to Clio in Genesee County for water main replacement including service leads, hydrants and valves.
– A $3.18 million loan for water system improvements in the village of Jonesville such as upgrades to the water treatment plan, replacing water meters and installation of a new water meter reading system
– A $6.29 million loan for Milan in Monroe County for water and sewer system improvements such as building a new pump station and force main
The Fiscal Year 2018 federal budget bill passed by Congress included $5.2 billion for USDA loans and grants and directed Secretary Sonny Perdue to make investments in rural communities with the greatest infrastructure needs, according to a USDA release.
In a statement, USDA Rural Development State Director Jason Allen urged more rural Michigan communities to take advantage of the funding available through the USDA.
“This $14 million investment represents significant progress in protecting the Great Lakes and ensuring clean drinking water for Michigan residents, but it represents only a fraction of resources available,” Allen said.