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Bristol, TN -- U. S. Rep. David Davis and Rural Development Area Director Charles Brooks joined Intermont Utility District (UD) President Larry Barker today to announce a new federal investment of $2,102,000 to fund needed improvements to the public water system serving families and businesses in the eastern part of Sullivan County. The announcement was made at the South Chapel Baptist Church in Bristol.
In a statement U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander said, "I'm glad that USDA has funded these water improvements for Sullivan County. After experiencing the worst Tennessee drought in over one hundred years, it is important that we help extend public water service to rural areas so Tennesseans don't have to rely on private wells to get their water. I will continue to work with USDA Rural Development and the Tennessee delegation to make sure that Tennesseans are getting the help they need."
Also in a statement, U.S. Senator Bob Corker said, "Connecting neighborhoods in Sullivan County to the public water system will help ensure that residents receive clean and reliable drinking water. I thank USDA Rural Development for making infrastructure investments in Tennessee's rural communities that improve the quality of life of our citizens."
Rural Development funds will be used to increase the capacity of the Intermont UD water system and to deliver clean, reliable water to the communities of Twin Oaks, Harr and Wyatt Hollow. Currently this area’s primary water source is private wells. The area has documented cases of e-coli and health related issues due to the contaminated water being currently used by the citizens. The odiferous water also discolors sinks and tubs and has a dulling effect on laundry. This water line project will alleviate water related health and sanitary hazards.
“Providing clean water to communities in East Tennessee is a definite priority” said Rep. Davis. “When I heard of the potential health related issues and requests from local government to assist, I, along with Senators Alexander and Corker, Rural Development Area Director Charles Brooks, and Intermont Utility District took the initiative to bring public water services to the families and businesses of Sullivan County. This new public water system will help keep the citizens of Sullivan County healthy and safe for years to come.”
Funding for the project from Rural Development includes a $906,000 low interest loan and a grant of $1,196,000. The UD is contributing an additional $48,000 and will bring the total investment in essential community infrastructure to $2,150,000.
Water improvements are funded through the Rural Development community program, which provides assistance to public or non-profit entities for the financing of water, sanitary sewerage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater facilities that serve households and businesses in rural areas. Entities serving rural areas with a population less than 10,000 are eligible for funding through these programs.
Others participating in the announcement included U.S. Sen. Bob Corker’s field representative Bridget Baird, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander’s field representative Lana Moore, U.S. Rep. David Davis’s field representative Paul Chapman, and Sullivan County Mayor Steve Godsey.
USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities in Tennessee by investing financial and technical assistance through housing, community and business development programs. In Fiscal Year 2007 Rural Development assisted more than 600,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $308 million in financial assistance through loans and grants.
For more information on homeownership, business development or community facilities programs available in the Sullivan County area, contact the Rural Development Area Office in Greeneville at 423-638-4771 ext. 4, toll free at 800-342-3149 ext. 1490 or visit us online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.
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