U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $13.05 million for critical upgrades to a small Massachusetts' town's wastewater treatment plant.
USDA Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small joined U.S. House Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., in North Brookfield, Mass., to announce the investment, according to a July 8 USDA news release.
"When Rural Development invests in wastewater, it means more than revitalizing aging facilities in rural communities," Torres Small said in the news release. "It can support a growing economy, and it provides clean watersheds for thousands of people."
Torres Small gave credit to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, as well as McGovern, saying their support means, "USDA can continue to invest in the wastewater infrastructure of small towns like North Brookfield, having a direct impact on the health and well-being of the people who call this place home," according to the release.
Funding for upgrades at North Brookfield Wastewater Treatment Facility came from a more than $3.2 million USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a more than $9.7 million grant to the town of North Brookfield, the release reported.
The money will be spent on replacing aging equipment that will to meet future permit requirements, constructing an administration building, upgrading electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems and integrating new process monitoring and control system, the release reported.
"This project will have a significant impact on the town of North Brookfield and the thousands of customers the treatment facility serves," the news release said. "The facility was last upgraded over 20 years ago."
