The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh announced that the USDA is investing $1 billion to build and improve critical community facilities in 48 states.
According to a press release, this infrastructure funding will increase access to health care, education and public safety while spurring community development and building sound infrastructure for people living in rural communities.
Bronaugh says, “These loans and grants will help rural communities invest in facilities and services that are vital to all communities, such as health care facilities, schools, libraries, and first responder vehicles and equipment. When we invest in essential services in rural America, we build opportunity and prosperity for the people who call rural communities home.”
In the KMMO listening area, Carrollton R-VII School District received a $50,100 grant from the USDA under the Community Facilities Disaster Grant program.
Superintendent Danny Dewitt says the funds will go towards purchasing an electric school bus and a charging station for the district – the grant is expected to cover 50 percent of the total cost.
The USDA’s project description says, “This purchase will stretch the district’s funding by decreasing annual fuel and maintenance costs. The electric bus will provide dependable, environmentally friendly transportation to this rural school district.”
The Carrollton’s Leasing Association Incorporated also received a $85,700 grant, along with $159,000 in loans. The funds are scheduled to go towards the purchase of a sewer cleaning jetter truck that will be leased to the City of Carrollton’s Wastewater Department.
The project description says, “Jetting is a process in which a high-pressure water hose with a sewer jetting nozzle is pushed into a dirty pipeline. High-pressure water is then released from the jetter truck and pushed through the pipeline to remove debris. This equipment will be used to unclog debris and maintain sewer lines and will replace the city’s 1996 model that is unreliable and costly for the city to repair. The new equipment will assist city personnel maintain 56 miles of sewer lines and respond to calls for service to unclog debris in sewer lines.”