$1.75M funding package arrives for mountain water project
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Congressman Lincoln Davis said he is impressed with the team effort that went into securing project financing, and proud to be able to offer assistance.
‘Due to the coordinated efforts of Rural Development and local officials in Warren County, essential infrastructure will be built, giving many residents access to a reliable and safe water source,’ said Davis. ‘Our rural communities are often at a disadvantage due to a lack of available resources and have been hurt even more due to the drought. I applaud Rural Development for their continued investment and support in helping ease the strain for many of my constituents, who are hard-working individuals.’
A $1.15 million low-interest loan and $600,000 grant from Rural Development, along with a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant, and a one-time $1.56 million state appropriation, brings the total investment to $3.76 million.
The project, which should begin in the coming months, will provide access to a more reliable source of safe water for the district and increase system capacity to reach 140 residents along Highway 8 atop Harrison Ferry Mountain. Currently, water for the Harrison Ferry Mountain area is pumped from the Big Creek Utility District reservoir on Ranger Creek in Grundy County. However, drought-induced water shortages strained this source last summer and into the fall.
The new water infrastructure being built includes a 12-inch water main, two additional pumping stations, and a 500,000-gallon storage tank atop the mountain, which will enable Warren County Utility District to pump water from its own more reliable system up to residents in the Harrison Ferry Mountain area. The project will also allow the sharing of water resources between WCUD and several districts serving the southern portion of the Cumberland Plateau in the event of continued drought.
‘To be able to provide water to our citizens who need it, that is so important,’ said County Executive John Pelham. ‘Everybody has to have water, and I am so thankful for this project and what it will provide for the people on Harrison Ferry Mountain.’
Water improvements are funded through Rural Development’s community program, which provides financial assistance for public or not-for-profit entities for drinking water, sanitary sewerage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater facilities for rural residents. Loans and grants are made to entities serving rural areas with a population less then 10,000.
USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities in Tennessee by investing financial and technical assistance through housing, community and business development programs. In fiscal year 2007 Rural Development assisted more than 600,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $308 million in financial assistance through loans and grants.