Congressman Smith Announces Millions for Cape County Infrastructure Project

Statement

Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced today the award of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development to Cape Girardeau County Reorganized Common Sewer District.

The over $17 million award will be used to make an important infrastructure and consolidation update for the sewer district to improve water and environmental quality in the entire Cape Girardeau County.

"Infrastructure investment like this in rural parts of the country is essential for economic growth," said Congressman Smith "These resources will help improve water quality and continue to make the Cape area an attractive place to grow both businesses and families. Whether it's the additional support for broadband deployment announced just last week or the $20 million we were able to secure for the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority to help our area farmers transport their goods, these important projects will help us continue to move southern Missouri forward."

Just this month, during the Congressman's annual agriculture visits throughout Southern Missouri he spoke with Russ Hoggard of Hoggard Farms in New Madrid about the importance of infrastructure investment for our rural economy, Smith said, "Proper infrastructure investment in rural areas ensures that folks like Russ can bring their products to market quicker and cheaper, giving them the competitive edge they need to compete. I'm pleased that the Trump Administration agrees and has continued to prioritize rural investment."

"Congressman Jason Smith's office was instrumental in helping get this funding, we are very appreciative of all the support we get from his office", said Joe Tousignant with Cape Girardeau County Reorganized Common Sewer District. "Once completed, this project will clean up the environment, increase property values, and set the stage for continued residential and commercial growth in the Fruitland area."

USDA Rural Development has approved a grant of $7,998,000.00 for this project as well as a loan of $9,871,000.00. This funding will be used to consolidate 20 existing treatment facilities into one centralized sewer treatment system for the sewer district to maintain. This will help the district provide safe sanitary wastewater treatment to its members in Cape County in addition to improving the overall environment by eliminating multiple outfall locations and instead having just one.

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