Sunflower and Lauderdale Counties are set to receive over $3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in loan and grant funding to upgrade their water system.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, said the $3.27 million in Rural Development funding will go to the Southwest Lauderdale Water Association and the Town of Sunflower. The FY2018 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program funding will go toward wells, new water lines, and other work to rehabilitate the two systems.
“Water infrastructure that is up to modern standards is important to the quality of life in rural communities and pivotal in attracting and sustaining economic growth,” said Hyde-Smith. “I’m pleased USDA Rural Development is investing in Mississippi, where need remains significant throughout the state.”
The Southwest Lauderdale Water Association will use a $2.56 million loan to construct a second 600 gallons-per-minute well as a backup to an existing well. The loan will also be used to expand and upgrade wastewater treatment operations and replace undersized water mains. The work is expected to improve service for more than 3,600 water customers.
The Town of Sunflower will receive a $716,000 grant/loan package ($507,000 grant, $209,000 loan) to rehabilitate an elevated water storage tank to comply with a bilateral compliance agreement with the Mississippi Department of Health. The funding will also be used to evaluate and make repairs to the town’s wastewater system.
