USDA Funding Four Projects Across The Ill.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) IL Acting State Director Molly Hammond on Friday, May 28, 2024, announced that USDA is funding four projects across Illinois to help ensure clean drinking water.

“Safe and potable water is essential to any thriving community”, says Hammond. “Rural Development’s goal is to help rural towns and communities thrive, and we are proud to do that in a variety of ways, including providing funding via loans and grants for water and waste projects. The investments we’re making today help make a better tomorrow and it’s always exciting to see the impact these types of projects have across communities.”

Through projects financed by USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans, Grants and Loan Guarantees, the agency is helping state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build and improve rural water and wastewater systems. The funding will enable rural communities to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and storm water drainage. For example: Madison County: Fosterburg Water District received a $4.2 million loan to expand their distribution system and looping of water mains to provide more potable water to Madison and Macoupin counties.

USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, and making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America. To learn more, visit http://www.usda.gov.