The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has $392 million available to help rebuild and improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure in 42 states. The USDA is supporting investments in 120 infrastructure projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, which can be used to finance drinking water, stormwater drainage, and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. In many cases, States, other Federal partners, and various nonprofits are working with USDA to also provide funding for these projects.
USDA is making investments in rural communities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin, among 36 other states. The 2018 Omnibus spending bill includes $5.2 billion for USDA loans and grants, up from $1.8 billion in FY 2017. The bill also directs Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to make investments in rural communities with the greatest infrastructure needs.
Eligible rural communities and water districts can apply online for funding to maintain, modernize, or build water and wastewater systems. For more information, visit the interactive RD Apply tool or contact a representative in the USDA Rural Development State or field offices.
AE2S Nexus Helps Connect Communities to Funding
AE2S Nexus staff recently helped the community of New Salem, North Dakota access funding from the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program for a utility replacement project. USDA Rural Development offered grants of up to 45 percent of the qualifying project costs, which reduced the total cost of the water, sewer, and road replacement project by $1.6 million. Throughout the process, Nexus and AE2S engineering staff worked closely with the USDA Rural Development staff to streamline the application process and see it through to success.
If you have questions about funding opportunities in your State, contact Ryan Graf, Nexus Funding Development Director & Financial Analyst.