Knox and Waldo counties among eligible applicants for USDA severe storm grants
WASHINGTON — Knox and Waldo counties are among six Maine counties where grants are now available to help rural and Tribal communities repair water infrastructure damaged by presidentially-declared disasters, including severe storms and flooding in calendar year 2022.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson announced the availability on June 27.
“The assistance I'm announcing today will help make sure rural communities across this state who were impacted by natural disasters last year have the the resources they need to repair or rebuild their water infrastructure, said Hampson, in a USDA news release. “This funding is critical because we know that rural America is home to millions of people who make up America’s spirit and character.”
USDA is making more than $247 million in grants related to restoration, repair, or rebuilding to water infrastructure systems available through supplemental disaster funding under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Water infrastructure systems include drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater projects serving eligible communities. Funds will remain available until expended.
Eligible applicants include rurally located public bodies, and nonprofit organizations.
Funds may be used to:
-repair damaged water infrastructure
-develop resiliency to reduce long-term risks from future disasters
Funds may be used in the following Maine counties which have been presidentially declared disaster areas:
-Knox
-Franklin
-Oxford
-Somerset
-York
-Waldo
Applications must be submitted through the RD APPLY application system at rdapply.usda.gov. Funds will be available until exhausted.
For more information on how to apply, contact:
Robert (Bob) Nadeau, Community Programs Director
207-990-9121
Background
The Biden-Harris Administration made this funding possible through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, according to the release. USDA expects to announce additional funding for presidentially declared disaster areas in the coming weeks.
This additional funding will help eligible rural communities repair and rebuild essential community facilities. It will also help communities access technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems.
Additional resources to support rural communities seeking disaster assistance are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/rural-development-disaster-assistance.
