New Wastewater Treatment System To Improve Quality Of Life For Residents Of Leisure Lake In Rural Jackson County, Iowa USDA Rural Development Support Totals $3.85M

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien recently participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for a new wastewater treatment system for Leisure Lake residents in rural Jackson County.

“It is critical that communities across the country have access to clean, reliable water supplies and USDA is pleased to be assisting with this important project for the residents around Leisure Lake,” O’Brien said. “The Obama Administration is working to support creation of a vibrant, sustainable rural America and clean water is a basic necessity for public health, environmental preservation, and economic growth of our rural communities.”

The project will eliminate septic systems which pose a hazard to ground water and lake water purity. About 1,000 people have homes around the 40-acre man-made lake.

USDA Rural Development is providing almost $2.7M in loans and $1.2M in grants through its Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) to Eastern Iowa Utility Service System (EIRUSS). EIRUSS was formed in 2005 to plan, design and maintain essential facilities and services including wastewater treatment systems and water systems for and on behalf of the counties and the cities and unincorporated areas within a five county area.

“USDA Rural Development’s funding during the Obama Administration continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa,” O’Brien added. “Since 2009, the agency has invested nearly $2B in essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities to help Iowa families and communities build a better future.”

Later today Deputy Under Secretary O’Brien will speak at the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA) annual conference in Dubuque, Iowa, and discuss the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the USDA, RCCA and American Association of Community Colleges that outlines ways the organizations will work together to provide more robust higher education and technical training opportunities to rural residents.

Also, tomorrow September 27th, Deputy Under Secretary O’Brien will be in Carroll, Iowa, to participate in a rural issues roundtable discussion with local residents, business owners and community leaders business leaders. The meeting, which starts at 3 p.m. at the Harold Bierl Community Room at the Depot Plaza, 407 West 5th Street in Carroll, is being organized by the Region XII Council of Governments and is open to the public.

For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the office located in Tipton at (563) 886-6006 Ext. 4. This office serves communities, businesses and residents in Benton, Cedar, Clinton, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Scott Counties.

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.

Further information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting the agency’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.

USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity lender with a variety of grant and direct and guaranteed loan programs for single and multi-family housing, community facilities, water and sewer development and business and industry programs.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $172B in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.