Washington  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) and U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent today announced a Rural Development grant to Phelps County from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The Water and Waste Disposal Grant of $300,000 will complete construction of a sewage collection system and provide for the initial hookup costs for sewage treatment from the City of St. James.

 

“Rural Development has made a significant commitment to this public water supply project.  In FY 2002, the project received grant funding of $675,000 and a loan of $775,000, so this is a major undertaking,” Emerson said.  “The new sewage system will serve 210 households northwest of St. James.

 

“Projects such as this one are part of our continued commitment to improving infrastructure in rural parts of our state,” Emerson added.  “Water and waste treatment are essential to quality of life in Southern Missouri.”

 

"These dollars will help meet critical water needs in the St. James community," said Senator Kit Bond.  "Often rural communities lack some of the basic water services many of us take for granted.  For the folks in St. James, these dollars will make a real difference.  Rural Development dollars like in today's announcement have funded a number of important community projects here in Southeast Missouri that would not be possible without federal dollars."

 

"I am very pleased to help deliver this good news to the people of Phelps County," said Talent, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  "Improving water quality in Missouri is a top priority.  We need to make certain more people have access to a safe and healthy water supply and these improvements will expand service to hundreds of households.  I will continue working with Senator Bond, Congresswoman Emerson and the Bush Administration to deliver additional funding and assistance to improve water quality in Southeast Missouri."