The moment of truth: USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner (fourth from right) cuts the ribbon to Williamston’s new water treatment plant with Willamston Mayor James DeForest.

The grand opening of Williamston, Michigan’s Water Treatment Plant featured an unusual beverage as its centerpiece:  Tap water. Along with a celebratory cake and other snacks, the organizers offered up large chilled containers of Williamston’s new and improved drinking water – and residents were happy to help themselves. Read more »

Carol Wetuski, USDA Rural Development Area Director, and Al Ripp, TDS Regional Marketing Manager cut the ribbon to mark commencement of construction on the broadband stimulus project. Wetuski and Ripp were joined by representatives and workers from InterCon Energy Services and TDS Telecom; and Green County Development Corporation Executive Director, Anna Schramke for the celebration.

It goes without saying that broadband-high speed internet has changed the way we live our lives.  And it should . . . this is the digital age.

For many it is hard to imagine how you would get by without it.  With access to the internet, one can easily sell a car, find and apply for a job, read the news, manage a business, or work from home.  The advantages of having broadband access is that you can connect to anywhere in the world on your terms, at your convenience, when you want – that is unless you live in rural America. Read more »

Federal, state and local officials display a map that highlights the coverage areas in which expanded and improved broadband service will be offered. They include (from left) Tom Fern, State Director for Rural Development (Ky.), Trevor Bonnstetter, CEO of WK&T, RUS Administrator Jonathan Adelstein, Bobby Goode, State Director for Rural Development (Tenn.), and Jonathan Miller, Ky. Finance Cabinet Secretary.

USDA Rural Utilities Administrator Jonathan Adelstein visited Western Kentucky recently to announce the start of one of the largest broadband projects in the country. Read more »

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act continues to help families, the elderly, the unemployed and children across the country. The Act provided for an increase in monthly benefits for USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. ARRA money provides participating families of four, for instance, an additional $80 each month to purchase nutritious food. Read more »

Student Reporter Sarah Burk at the Port Wentworth Treatment Plant site.

My name is Sarah Burk and I live in Savannah, Georgia. I am 13 years old and am home-schooled. I am going to update you on the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Port Wentworth, Georgia. Read more »

Left to right: Greg Larson, SCRWD Board of Director; Jim Vander Vorst, State Line Water Cooperative; Kathleen Schneider, U.S. Senator Kent Conrad’s representative; Marion Houn, U.S. Senator Bryon Dorgan’s representative; Eric Volk, ND Rural Water Systems Association; Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development North Dakota State Director; Dave Koland, Executive Director of Garrison Diversion Conservancy District 11; Joe LaFave, SCRWD Board President; Congressman Earl Pomeroy; Doug Neibauer, Executive Director SCRWD; Harley Swenson, ND State Water Commission; Matt Burthold, USDA Rural Development Business Program Specialist; and Glenn McCrory, Emmons County Water Resource Board.

The day was hot and windy, but the mood on the banks of the Missouri River was electrifying as North Dakota USDA Rural Development State Director Jasper Schneider joined Congressman Earl Pomeroy, South Central Regional Water District board members, farmers, ranchers, and city folk recently to witness the long-awaited groundbreaking for a new water treatment facility. Read more »