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USDA assigns $6.6M to P.R. for rural water, waste plans

Since 2009, USDAhas invested $13.5 billion for 5,739 water and waste infrastructure projects, benefiting 19.1 million rural residents, the agency said.

Since 2009, USDA has invested $13.5 billion for 5,739 water and waste infrastructure projects, benefiting 19.1 million rural residents, the agency said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday the availability of $6.6 million for Puerto Rico water and waste infrastructure programs that will benefit several towns as well as the Roosevelt Roads Redevelopment Authority, which is getting the bulk of the assignment.

The investment, totaling $283 million across the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, is made through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, which provides assistance and financing to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems for communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

“Strong infrastructure is critical to keeping America’s communities of all sizes thriving, and USDA is proud to partner with the National Rural Water Association to help improve the livelihood of our smallest towns by providing access to reliable water and wastewater systems,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“Projects like these are critical to the economy, health and future of rural America, and today 19 million residents now have improved water and wastewater services in their communities thanks to investments USDA has made since 2009,” he said.

According to the agency’s breakdown, the Redevelopment Authority will receive more than $4.9 million in loan money, plus another $666,200 in grant funding for the first phase of potable water infrastructure improvements in the former naval base.

The town of Corozal will get two loans totaling $273,814 to finance a water tank truck and the acquisition of equipment for solid waste management and disposal.

The town of Maricao will get $399,000 in grant funding for waste disposal trucks, while San Sebastián will get a $216,000 loan and a $109,800 grant for solid waste disposal trucks, the USDA said.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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