“This is wonderful news for folks in Wabbaseka,” Ross said.  “Keeping wastewater treatment systems up to date improves public health and our environment, and this sizeable grant and loan will help the town with a large scale improvement, rather than piece-by-piece repairs that can end up costing more.” 

The DRA grant consists of $61,500 to the town of Wabbaseka in Jefferson County to update the wastewater treatment facility to comply with state pollution control and ecology consent orders. Also being awarded to complete the $278,500 project is a $217,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development combination grant/loan.  The town of Wabbaseka has approximately 400 residents with approximately 135 sewer system customers. 

Congress established the DRA in December of 2000 to channel resources, aid and guidance for economic development to the Mississippi Delta region.