Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Thursday, July 17, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC –– U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved almost $3 million in rural development funds for Missouri water projects.

"For these communities this $3 million in federal funds will make possible the basic water and sewer services many of us take for granted," said Bond.

The USDA will send Missouri $2,808,700 in rural development Water and Waste Disposal Grants and Loans for the following projects:

* $550,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant and a $200,000 Loan for the city of Cowgill. The funds will be used to construct a new central wastewater treatment/sewer collection system. Missouri Community Development Block Grant will also participate in the financing for 100 households and businesses, including the Cowgill public school;

* $364,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant and a $1,000,000 Loan for the city of Stover. Funds will be used to fund water system improvements, including replacement of 40,000 linear feet of old, undersized water lines and installation of a new storage tank. The central water system in Stover serves 504 users;

* $429,700 Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan for the city of Marston. Funds will be used to repair and replace the water treatment system including building, filter units, high service pumps, aerator replacement and an emergency interconnection to District #5 of New Madrid County. 610 residents in the city will benefit;

* $265,000 Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan for the city of Hopkins. The funds will be used to expand the existing sewer system to serve and additional 20 users in the city. At this time, only part of the city has public sewer service and this project will make public sewer available to all residents.

The USDA supports rural development in a number of ways, including Water and Waste Disposal grants and loans that help reduce costs to a reasonable level for rural users.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.