WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $2,000,000 grant and a $3,009,000 loan to the Athens County Commission toward the construction of the U.S. 50 Albany Corridor wastewater collection system in Athens County.

“Up-to-date water infrastructure is critical to the health and well-being of Ohio families as well as to local communities’ ability to create jobs and compete,” Brown said. “This investment will help improve access to safe and clean water in Athens County.” 

These funds are a part of the USDA’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program, which provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water in rural areas. The program helps rural small towns, cities and communities make infrastructure improvements and provide essential facilities such as sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses.

Brown has been a leader for Ohio’s rural communities, fighting to secure crucial funding for USDA grant and loan programs in the recently passed 2019 Senate Appropriations Package. Brown also worked to include a number of provisions that are important to Ohio farmers in the 2018 Farm Bill. He is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years. 

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