Brownville receives $30,000 for wastewater system study

    BROWNVILLE — USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel has announced five water and wastewater and community projects that will benefit rural Maine. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. The announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

    Among the recipients is the town of Brownville, which has been selected to receive $30,000 in the form of a Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant to complete a feasibility study that will provide an analysis of the town’s existing wastewater treatment system, treatment requirements and needs, cost analysis and treatment options.  This predevelopment planning will provide information to Brownville officials so that they will be prepared to meet the community’s wastewater treatment needs in the future.
    “I am pleased that USDA Rural Development can invest $2.27 million to assist four communities with essential water and wastewater upgrades and one tribal community with upgrades to its vital Administrative Building,” Manuel said. “The impact of this funding will benefit these rural communities for many years to come through reliable infrastructure and preservation of an important community building and meeting space. ”
    USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as the Department implements sequestration — the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act.
    “Loans and grants provided by the USDA are critical to providing many services in rural communities that might otherwise have been unaffordable,” U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King said in a joint statement. “This funding will make it possible to improve local water and sewer infrastructure, encourage energy efficiency and purchase and build new facilities throughout Maine.”
    USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.
    USDA Rural Development has area offices in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston and Scarborough, as well as a state office in Bangor. There are 62 employees working to deliver the agency’s housing, business and community programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. USDA Rural Development invested a total of $402.5 million in Maine communities the last fiscal year. Further information is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/me.