WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced that the Gogebic Range Water Authority will receive $10,917,000 for drinking water infrastructure improvements.  The funding is provided through a $7,917,000 loan and $3 million grant from the economic recovery package.  The funding was announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today and all of the funding comes through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program.

“This is a significant investment in Gogebic County by the economic stimulus package,” Stupak said.  “Investing in our water infrastructure is important for both our short-term economic recovery and our long-term economic growth.  This is one of the single-largest projects awarded in Northern Michigan since the economic recovery bill was signed into law and I am pleased the Department of Agriculture has decided to provide this funding.”