Senators Rockefeller, Byrd Announce $3.6 Million In State USDA Recovery Act Funds

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Funding for rural water and environmental projects

May 28, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd announced today that West Virginia will receive $3,605,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) for safe drinking water projects and improved wastewater treatment systems for West Virginia rural towns and communities.

West Virginia’s $3.6 million will go toward the following projects:

* $1,940,000 for the Clover Public Service District (Roane County)
* $1,665,000 for the City of Glen Dale (Marshall County)

“The protection of West Virginia’s water systems is essential,” said Senator Rockefeller. “These needed funds from the ARRA will go toward necessary infrastructure projects – to provide good-paying jobs for West Virginians, boost local economies, and protect the health of our citizens. I am very pleased to see that this important funding was quickly released to the state as soon as it became available.”

“In West Virginia, and all across the country, the health of millions of men, women, and children is endangered because of contaminated water. The federal government has a clear responsibility to provide support, both financial help and engineering assistance, to ensure safe and efficient water systems to all of our citizens. This funding will help to achieve those goals in communities all across the Mountain State,” added Byrd who was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Rural Water Association.

USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental 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. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. More information about USDA rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov. More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery.

Source: Senator Jay Rockefeller