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USDA Invests $8.1 Million to Improve Water Infrastructure in Montana

Bozeman, Mont., Feb. 21, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Montana acting State Director Jake Ceartin announced today an investment of $8.1 million to upgrade and improve critical water infrastructure in four Montana counties, cities, towns, and sewer districts.

"Water infrastructure is essential for delivering safe, reliable, clean water to residents across Montana, and for ensuring a healthy, basic standard of living they can count on," said Ceartin. "Through its water infrastructure programs, USDA will continue working with local governments to ensure they continue can meet the most basic needs of their residents."

Montana received $8.1 million through the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to fund improved water infrastructure and expand access to clean and reliable drinking water in the following areas:

The Town of Hobson, Montana, received an $814,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $1,586,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant to completely rehabilitate the town's wastewater collection system including the lift station, storage lagoons, and other elements, benefitting the more than 200 residents in its service area.

The City of Wolf Point, Montana, received a $3,500,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $731,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant to replace wastewater collection lines and update its lift station which will eliminate existing health and sanitary issues with the current system. This project will improve the lives of more than 1,200 residents – tribal and non-tribal - in the largest city on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

Power and Teton County Water and Sewer District in Power, Montana, received a $398,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $275,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant to repair service connections, line and seal inflow manholes, replace outdated pipes, and construct a new lift station with functional pumps, controls, and backup power.

Wheatland County, Montana, received a $395,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $395,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant to install water and sewer lines from Harlowton's city limits to the site where a new critical access hospital (CAH) is being constructed, highlighting a successful local partnership between city and county governments there.

USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees, and grants to expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural and Tribal areas.

USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural and Tribal areas in Montana, call (406) 585-2587 or visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.