WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $14,987,000 Community Facilities grant for comprehensive improvements to the Belmont County Water System, including construction of a six million gallon-per-day water treatment plant. The USDA is also awarding a $45,509,000 Community Facilities loan to finance the improvements, bringing the total USDA funds available to $60,496,000.
“This federal investment in the region’s infrastructure will not only improve the delivery of clean water to thousands of residents, but will also lead to more jobs and economic growth for local businesses,” Brown said. “Good things are happening in Belmont County, and this project is evidence of that.”
The Belmont County Water System encompasses more than 500 miles of water lines. In addition to the 9,700 rural residents it directly serves, the system provides water to 23,300 residents through wholesale agreements with the Villages of Belmont, Bethesda, Flushing, New Athens, Bellaire, and Morristown, along with the City of St. Clairsville, and the Tri-County Water Authority area of Jefferson County.
The funds for this project are a part of the USDA’s Rural Development initiative. Brown helped secure a strong Rural Development title in the 2014 Farm Bill, and is continuing to advocate for Rural Development programs in the 2018 Farm Bill.
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