The Trump Administration has announced that the USDA is investing $891 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 43 states. These 220 projects will help improve rural water infrastructure for 787,000 residents. The projects are being funded through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
The program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
Examples of the investment: The Gibson County Municipal Water District in Tennessee will use a $545,000 loan to construct a water treatment plant in the Goat City area of Gibson County Municipal Water District’s service area, as well as install Automated Read Meters throughout the system. Louisiana’s Hagewood Water System Inc. will use a $277,000 loan and $226,000 grant to add just under three miles of six-inch water main and a booster station.
To Mayberry we go, and to Andy Griffith’s actual hometown of Mt. Airy, N.C., where Mayberry Spirits uses sorghum to make their whiskey products. The sorghum plant is an extremely drought resistant and high-energy crop – making it efficient in solar energy and water use conservation. And did y’all know sorghum is naturally gluten-free, making it not only a sustainable and tasty ingredient in the spirits? The whiskey comes in three varieties, clear, oak and toasted vanilla. In addition to their whiskies, Mayberry Spirits makes its own gourmet extracts and offers whiskey-infused coffee and cigars. And tours of the distillery in downtown Mt. Airy are available.
