Cardin, Mikulski Announce Rural Development Funding for Improvement and Expansion of Water Infrastructure in Allegany

Press Release

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Allegany Board of Commissioners has received a $566,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) to extend Allegany County water mains to connect to the Rawlings community water system and replace the existing aged distribution system. In addition to the grant, the project will be funded by a loan of $190,000 from USDA-RD to Allegany County.

"Western Maryland communities are getting the help they need to modernize and update aging infrastructure," said Senator Cardin. "This funding will provide substantial returns on federal investments by allowing USDA-RD to provide Allegany County with the tools they need to not just grow, but to thrive."

"Maryland cities and towns need to upgrade their water and sewer infrastructure but they can't do it on their own," Senator Mikulski said. "These funds will allow Allegany County to update critical infrastructure. It will create construction jobs today and a modernized water system that promotes community health and economic growth tomorrow."

This project will also install individual service meters and construct a new water storage tank. After completion of the project the county will own and maintain the system. Currently, the Rawlings water system is privately operated. This project is the first in a multiphase effort to bring safe and reliable public water to this 350 home community. In addition to the $756,000 from USDA-RD, $800,000 of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be made available through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCH). Allegany County will contribute $260,000.

Senator Cardin is a member of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Senator Mikulski is Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee. Together they understand the economic, environmental and quality of life benefits of investing in infrastructure.

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