By Andi Anderson
Rural Indiana is set to receive a significant infrastructure boost, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investing over $90 million to enhance access to clean water, reliable electricity, and economic opportunities.
This funding will benefit numerous communities across the state through a combination of grants and loans.
Frankton will receive a $600,000 grant to upgrade its wastewater and stormwater systems. This project will replace and upsize sewer lines, improving water quality and reducing untreated wastewater discharge for over 700 residents.
Huntingburg is receiving a $19.4 million USDA loan to expand its wastewater treatment plant. This upgrade will address capacity concerns and benefit the town’s 6,362 residents by improving the reliability of its water system.
In Petersburg, a $7 million loan and $1.7 million grant will support renovations to the city's wastewater utility.
This project will add new trickling filters, replace clarifiers, and upgrade the collection system, benefiting 2,300 residents and nearly 1,000 additional residents in Washington Township.
The USDA is also investing in electric cooperatives to improve power infrastructure. South Central Indiana REMC will receive a $30 million loan to connect nearly 1,900 new consumers and upgrade 291 miles of power lines, including smart grid technologies.
Kankakee Valley REMC will use a $31.4 million loan to connect 450 new consumers and improve 212 miles of power lines.
These infrastructure improvements will provide cleaner water, more reliable electricity, and new economic opportunities for rural Indiana, benefiting thousands of residents in the region.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy