Rural Development works on local projects

USDA’s Rural Development is working on numerous local projects.

City of Pontiac – Community Facilities Grant

·        This spring, they announced a $500,000 grant to help the City of Pontiac build a new Fire & Rescue Substation.

·        The Union Pacific Railroad runs through the middle of the city. The number of freight trains passing through the city has increased and crossing times can be upwards of 10 minutes.

·        The new substation will allow emergency crews to reduce response time west of the railroad tracks.

·        In addition to the substation being located in a more accessible location, it will also include:

o   Driveway access to the apparatus bays and staff parking

o   Building accommodating for up to three apparatus bays

o   Living quarters, offices, turnout gear and laundry,

o   Secure storage for medical supplies, workshop and storage space.

·        This project was funded through our Community Facilities Program.  The program offers direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in rural communities.

Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County – Community Facilities Grant

·        Also through the agency’s Community Facilities Program, Rural Development helped provide $1.5 million in grant funding to the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County to construct a new intergenerational community center.

·        The new community center serves all residents, with a particular focus on youth and older adults. The center includes many intergenerational spaces including a game room, learning center, art and music spaces, a wellness center developed in partnership with a local hospital, commercial kitchen, gymnasium and indoor track.

·        This project supports a rural community in creating a vital facility that promotes well-being and economic growth in Ford and Livingston Counties.

Stelle Community Association – Water & Environmental programs

·        Just last week they announced funding for Critical Wastewater Infrastructure for the Stelle Community Association.

·        Rural Development provided the association with $963,000 in funding ($260,000 loan and $703,000 grant) to improve the wastewater system by:

·        constructing a covered, aerated lagoon system

·        installing a polishing reactor

·        replacing sand filter media, and

·        repairing the existing recirculating sand filter.

·        These improvements will remedy health and safety issues and will bring the association’s wastewater infrastructure up to acceptable standards – for the 99 people that call Stelle home.   

·        The water and environmental programs help fund clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage for rural communities and businesses.