USDA's Rural Development recently announced the investment of over $6 million to improve critical water infrastructure and secure clean drinking water in Amity, OR.

“Many of Oregon’s small, rural communities face significant barriers to funding critical water infrastructure projects,” said Oregon State RD Director Margi Hoffmann. “The need is clear, but often the money simply isn’t there.  USDA Rural Development’s investments are a lifeline for the dedicated officials working tirelessly to maintain clean drinking water and safe wastewater for rural Oregonians.”

The City of Amity will receive a loan of $4,838,000 and a grant of $1,500,000, through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to improve the city’s water intake, wells, pipelines and pumps, which will improve the reliability of the city's drinking water source. The funds will also contribute to the renovation and refurbishment of the city’s water treatment facility to ensure system capacity meets OHA quality standards and produces enough water to meet current and future demand.

These water infrastructure projects are projected to benefit at least 1,614 Oregonians in the surrounding area.

RD Oregon also announced a grant of $32,200 to assist with the construction of a new fire station in the rural town of Dayville, OR, through the Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants program.  When the fire station was damaged beyond repair and condemned last July, several bids for new construction came in too high for the city’s available funding.  This grant will allow the City of Dayville to cover additional construction costs. The new fire station will be built in the same location as the one being demolished and will be slightly bigger.

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