Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representative Vic Snyder (AR-02) announced today that the U. S. Department of Agriculture has approved a loan and awarded two grants under the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program to the Cherry Hill Public Facilities Board for economic development in Perry County.

“This critical funding will help officials maintain a safe, clean water supply for Perry County,” said Lincoln, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which wrote the 2008 Farm Bill. “The Farm Bill makes a significant investment in rural development priorities, and I’m proud to have worked to help Arkansans living in rural areas maintain the quality of life they deserve.”

“Providing clean, affordable water is essential to the health and well-being of Perry County residents,” said Pryor.  “This is a fitting example of how local and federal leaders can work together in order to improve infrastructure and benefit the entire community.”

“I am pleased that Cherry Hill Public Facilities Board received this grant to expand its water system to residents in the DeBerry community and the rural area south of the Fourche river.” said Snyder.
“Thanks to these funds, more people in Arkansas will have access to clean, safe and affordable water.”
Rural Development has approved a loan of $333,000, a grant of $82,100, and a grant of $159,900 from the 2008 Farm Bill funding.  This funding will support Cherry Hill Water, as it expands the existing water system to serve 52 new customers in Perry County who currently use private wells and do not have an adequate supply of water.