SNOWE, COLLINS ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR CLEAN WATER

Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that the Dexter Utility District has been awarded a $400,000 loan and $300,000 grant, the Town of Milford has been awarded a loan of $250,000, and the Norridgewock Water District has been awarded a loan of $476,000 and a grant of $150,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development fund. "It is often difficult for rural areas in this country to obtain funding and provide adequate water services," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. "The USDA's rural development mission makes it possible for underserved areas to obtain necessary loans and grants in order to provide residents of rural areas with clean drinking water and appropriate wastewater disposal. The loans and grants recently allocated to the Dexter Utility District and the Town of Milford will be extremely useful in allowing these water districts to maintain and provide clean water."

Funding awarded to the Dexter Utility District will be used to upgrade the existing water treatment plant and to construct an additional slow sand filter bed system at its Wasookeag Lake water treatment facility. An additional filter bed will enable Dexter Utilities District to more consistently comply with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The loan awarded to the Town of Milford will be used to replace the aging wastewater pump station and upgrade an emergency generator.

Funding given to the Norridgewock Water District will be used to finance the replacement of an aging water main. The district provides safe drinking water to 426 rural residents. The USDA Rural Development mission provides guaranteed loans, approved loans, and approved grants. Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The loans and grants are used for community programs, which seek to construct or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and public services.

###