LMR September 2020

Partner Insight
Rural Development
USDA Rural Development Helps Rural Communities Thrive
BY ROY HOLLEMAN, STATE DIRECTOR, USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
It is imperative for our rural municipalities
to update critical drinking water and
wastewater infrastructure. Modern
water systems are vital not only to
public health, but also the economic vitality in creating and
maintaining thriving rural communities.
If you need help financing new infrastructure or expanding
your current water system, USDA Rural Development stands
ready to help. Afterall, everyone should have access to safe
drinking water.
Through the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste
Disposal Loan and Grant Program, loans, grants and loan
guarantees are available for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid
waste, and storm drainage facilities. USDA can partner with
rural communities, water districts, and other eligible entities to
build or improve water infrastructure systems in rural areas of
50,000 or less.
Eligible borrowers are local governmental entities, non-profit
organizations, and federally recognized tribes. Preplanning
and other technical assistance may be available to financially
distressed rural communities for improvements to their water
system. Funding can also be used for legal and engineering
fees, land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and
equipment.
For example, USDA recently funded the following four
projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant
Program.
· Zone Two Water System received $972,000 to replace water
mains, meters, and construct an Architectural Barriers Act
Accessibility Standard meeting room.
· Town of Colfax received $2,237,000 to drill two water
production wells, replace deteriorated aerator, repair
leaking water lines, and update water meters.
· Town of Tullos received $1,165,000 additional funding to
construct a water treatment plant.
· Waterworks District #2 of St Landry Parish received
$2,158,000 to add water softeners, install ground storage
tank, and replace service pumps. Additional improvements
are a new building, generator, and replacing aging water
meters.
Rural Development offers easy terms for rural communities
with limited resources. Very low-interest loans are currently
available for eligible borrowers. Interest rates can be as low as
1.125% and grants may be combined with a loan if you qualify.
Applications are accepted year-round. Eligible rural
communities and water districts can apply online with RD Appy
for funding to maintain, modernize, or construct water and
wastewater systems.
Rural Development partners with the Louisiana Rural Water
Association and others to help with day-to day operational,
financial, management issues, and assist with energy audits.
Contact the local specialist in your area. Louisiana’s RD Area
Offices are in Monroe (318) 343-4467, Natchitoches (318) 352-
7100, Lafayette (337) 262-6601, and Amite (985) 748-8751.
The Louisiana team is here to help guide you with obtaining
infrastructure upgrades necessary to maintain the social,
economic, and environmental health of your community.
Please contact Roy Holleman at roy.holleman@usda.gov or
(318) 473-7657. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/la
and follow @RD_Louisiana on Twitter.
LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 15