Boucher (VA09 - Press Release - Federal Funding Approved to Improve Storm Drainage System in City of Norton

	CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CITY OF NORTON *$2.6 Million Federal Loan Will Improve Norton’s Storm Drainage System*

	June 1, 2004

	(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Rural Development Agency, is providing a low-interest federal loan in the amount of $2,593,000 to the City of Norton to enable the repair and improvement of the City’s storm drainage system. "The federal funding which I am announcing today will enable the City of Norton to replace or repair the storm drains along 5^th, 7^th, 10^th and 11^th Streets," Boucher said. The federal funding which is being announced today will be used by the City of Norton to install 5,740 feet of new storm drains and other necessary components to improve and expand the storm drainage system in the City. New storm drains will be installed along 5^th Street, 7^th Street until it intersects with Chestnut Avenue, 10^th Street and 11^th Street. Engineering plans for the storm drainage improvement project are currently underway, and it is expected that construction to install the new storm drainage system components will begin next year. Once completed, the storm drainage system will have expanded capacity to protect against heavier rainfalls which may occur. "This federal funding will be used to perform necessary work to protect residents of the City of Norton and their property from the damage experienced due to heavy rainfall. I am pleased that the Rural Development Agency has agreed to provide this provision of federal funding to the City of Norton," Boucher concluded.