Rural
Development Provides Valuable Assistance
(Britton, South Dakota – April 25, 2006) Curtis Anderson, United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Administrator
for Rural Utilities programs was in South Dakota to participate in an
Earth Day recognition event for BDM Rural Water System. Today’s
announcement highlights the importance that President Bush places on a
strong environmental policy that is compatible with a growing, healthy
economy.
“USDA Rural Development applauds the BDM Rural Water System for
their active role in bringing quality water into parts of rural South
Dakota,” Anderson said. “The leveraging of funds to take on
a project of this extent reflects a strong sense of foresight and commitment
to the prosperity of its rural communities by all partners involved.”
The BDM Rural Water System, located in the northern part of South Dakota,
has been involved in an expansion project into eastern Marshall and Roberts
Counties. Over the past several years, BDM has been the recipient of federal
funds totaling $9.3 million, in addition to leveraged funds received from
state and local governments, and Indian Health Service, and Bureau of
Indian Affairs. The combined partnership of funds has assisted them with
completing four phases of a multi-phased project. Making water available
to rural areas has helped keep families in areas that otherwise might
have been deserted.
“We recognize the local efforts which go into making a project
of this magnitude come to fruition. Federal funds have assisted with new
storage reservoirs, replacement of water lines, and construction of additions
to BDM’s treatment facility and the hook-up of additional users,”
said South Dakota State Director Lynn D. Jensen of USDA Rural Development.
“Rural Development has played a major role in securing funding
and making these projects happen in eastern Marshall and Roberts Counties,”
said David Wade, Manager for the BDM Rural Water System. He continued,
“We look forward to working with Rural Development in our next project
of expanding to the Hecla area and also internally,”
USDA Rural Development Business and Community Programs Director Doug
Roehl and Area Director Bruce Jones also attended the event. USDA Rural
Development has ten offices in the state that assist rural communities.
Office locations include a state office in Huron, along with area offices
in Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Sturgis,
Watertown, and Yankton.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way
that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality
of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development
provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth
in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology
infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at
a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web
site at http://www/rurdev.usda.gov.
