Scalise: Almost $2 Million for Rural Development in Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes

Monday, August 18, 2008

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development is awarding a total of $1,810,000 in loans and grants to Franklinton and Amite. The funds will be awarded through the water and wastewater loans and grant program.

 “I understand the value and critical need for funding to improve to improve water and wastewater systems in our districts rural communities,” Scalise said. “These projects will help improve the quality of life for the areas’ residents.”

 The Rural Franklinton Water Corporation has been approved for $783,000 in loans and $189,000 in grants. The funds will be used to construct a new water supply well at the existing Black Jack Road Station site.

 Westview Waterworks, Inc. in Amite has been approved for a $710,000 loan to construct a new 500 gallon-per-minute deep water well.

 Scalise has held Town Hall meetings in both Franklinton and Amite this summer in a series of 11 meetings he has held since being sworn in to Congress in May.

 The USDA Rural Development water and wastewater loan and grant program is used to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in rural America. Both of these projects are in special emphasis parishes located in the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Initiative.
 
On August 28, Congressman Scalise will present the checks from USDA Rural Development to each organization for their grants and loans. The location for the check presentation has yet to be determined.

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309