Congressman Childers Announces $17.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Lowndes County Water Infrastructure

October 7, 2009

Washington, DC – Congressman Travis Childers (MS-01) today announced a $17.5 million grant to the Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority for important water infrastructure projects. This grant was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“It is essential that rural communities like those in North Mississippi are able to provide safe drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to their residents,” said Congressman Childers. “With today’s announcement, the Recovery Act is making a significant and important investment in the health and quality of life of Lowndes County residents, while funding the kind of project that helps put North Mississippians back to work.”

The grant will be used to provide sewer service to the area west of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, provide additional water lines for emergency response at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, provide a backup water supply for the Town of Artesia, and extend water and sewage services to East Mississippi Community College’s nursing program.

This Recovery Act funding is being administered by USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program, which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.  More information about USDA’s Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. 

For more information on the First District’s and Mississippi’s share of Recovery Act funds, visit Congressman Childers’ online Recovery Tracker at www.childers.house.gov.

A pro-gun, pro-life Mississippian, Congressman Travis Childers (D-MS) represents the First Congressional District in North Mississippi. He is a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and serves on the House Agriculture and Financial Services Committee. Congressman Childers co-chairs the reestablished bipartisan Congressional Rural Caucus and was appointed to the bipartisan Second Amendment Task Force. For more information, visit www.childers.house.gov.

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