By Joseph M. Morgan
joseph@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala.—U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) visited Rainsville this week to announce $2.8 million in federal funding for the city from USDA Rural Development (USDA RD). Aderholt was joined for the announcement in Rainsville USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Lisa Mensah and USDA RD State Director Ronnie Davis and the total award includes an $830,000 grant and a $1.97 million loan to finance upgrades to the City’s sewer system to prepare for upgrades the system to facilitate future growth and more industry.
The funding announcement was hosted at the Northeast Alabama Agribusiness Center in Rainsville where more than 100 local residents, business owners, city officials and others turned out to take part in the official USDA project announcement and recognition of the new partnership between the city, state and federal agency.
“There is no question that this USDA loan and grant to the City of Rainsville will play a large role in the future of Rainsville and the whole entire area, not only for its growth, but also for its development,” Aderholt said. “These loans and grants that we received and are talking about today are always the best kind. They allow the local communities to decide what’s best. They allow them to decide where their needs can be met the easiest.”
USDA’s water and waste program provides grants and affordable loans for wastewater systems and clean, reliable drinking water systems in rural areas. “Safe, modem and reliable wastewater systems are critical for the health, safety and economic vitality of our rural communities,” Mensah said. “They are important economic development tools, in addition to their role in maintaining public health. That’s why these USDA investments are vital to rural America.”
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $4.5 billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants for housing, community facilities, business and infrastructure throughout Alabama. Davis said nearly $200 million of that has gone to assist new and existing rural water and wastewater systems in rural communities and towns with a population of 10,000 or less. “This investment is the latest example of the tremendous impact that USDA Rural Development has in the lives of rural businesses, residents and workers every day,” said Ronald Davis, State Director.
