TOPEKA, Feb. 21, 2024 –U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas State Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced that USDA is funding nine Kansas infrastructure projects. This $22.4 million investment will provide reliable high-speed internet access, clean water, and sanitary wastewater systems for rural communities.
“High-speed internet and reliable infrastructure make it possible for rural Kansans to live and work in the communities they love,” Davis said.
High-Speed Internet
Under the Broadband Technical Assistance Program, USDA is providing $997,000 to help Kansas Department of Commerce deliver technical assistance to expand high-speed internet access for people in rural and Tribal communities. This funding will also develop and expand broadband cooperatives in rural areas.
The details of this project are:
- A $997,000 grant will help promote the expansion of high-speed internet in Rawlins, Kiowa, Gove, Kearny, Wilson and Linn counties. Kansas Department of Commerce will use funding to provide technical assistance to some of the most rural and distressed energy communities in Kansas. Specifically, the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) will facilitate pre-engineering design and cost studies to determine broadband buildout costs and current barriers to deployment. KOBD, with Rural Utility Service staff, will then partner with local governments to understand and analyze the results of these studies, develop mitigation strategies, and identify next steps for effective broadband deployment, including use of federal and state funding sources.
Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Through its Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, Rural Development is also providing $21.4 million to help rural Kansas communities provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems.
The details of these projects are:
- A $1,725,000 loan will help complete improvements to the sewer collection system for the City of Wakefield. The project will upgrade the wastewater treatment system and construct a non-discharging lagoon with irrigation.
- A $2,284,000 loan and a $921,000 grant will help complete rehabilitation work on the water and wastewater systems for the City of Burden. The project includes repairing approximately 15,000 linear feet of existing collection lines and upgrading approximately 22,250 linear feet of main and service lines. Previous Rural Development funding of $30,000 for a Pre-Development Planning Grant was made in 2021.
- A $1,205,000 loan and a $1,127,000 grant will help construct a new non-discharging lagoon facility for the City of Hanston. Rural Development previously awarded a $20,177 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment provided $400,000 in Principle Forgiveness on this project.
- A $2,925,000 loan will help refurbish the wastewater collection system for the City of Valley Falls. The project will include pipe repairs, pipe replacement, heavy pipe cleaning and manhole repairs and replacement.
- A $35,000 loan and a $1,126,000 grant will help complete the rehabilitation of the City of Vermillion‘s water distribution system. The project will install approximately 6,500 feet of distribution piping, including new fire hydrants, valves and other equipment.
- A $5,819,000 loan will help construct a new 300,000-gallon elevated storage tank and a new ion exchange nitrate removal treatment plant for the City of Belle Plaine. The project will also replace the water distribution system, the telemetry systems and automated meter reading system.
- A $1,772,000 loan will help complete repairs to the Fall River dam, upgrade the Little Bear elevated storage tank, expand the distribution system and provide sewer extension to the hospital in Neodesha. The city received prior funding from Rural Development in the form of a grant and two loans as follows: a grant of $492,000 awarded in 2021, two loans of $998,000 and $7,000,000 awarded in 2018.
- A $795,000 loan and a $1,691,000 grant will help Little Blue Natural Resources District develop a new water source for the rural water system. The project will consist of developing two municipal wells, purchasing a generator, installing 16.2 miles of transmission main, a booster pump station, installing a 50,000-gallon ground level storage tank, installing 400 meters, software, and a control system.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
