Submitted by Dave Conine, USDA Rural Development State Director and Donna Birk, PIC
Weather was cold in late April in Utah when Santaquin City celebrated Earth Day with USDA Rural Development. Santaquin City officials were shivering with excitement to receive a $7 million plus loan and grant combination for a Waste Water Project.
USDA officials attended along with representatives of the city and state. The day started with a ‘Water Quality and Conservation Presentation” to the fourth grade students at Santaquin Elementary.
A program followed across the street at Centennial Park under the pavilion. Dave Conine, USDA Rural Development State Director was on hand to outline the funding, reflect on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and say a few words of support. Conine applauded Mayor DeGraffenried, his staff, J.U.B. Engineering, and other partners for working for a very long time to bring together the funding resources, and expertise to make this worthwhile project possible. He concluded by saying, “This wastewater treatment facility is an example of the commitment we all have for maintaining and improving environmental quality.”
The City will purchase additional land located North of town to build the new Reclamation Facility, and should be completed in 2012.
The highlight of the day featured help from Thomas DeGraffenried’s (the Mayor’s son) third grade class from Santaquin Elementary. The children huddled together in coats and blankets as they planted a sycamore sapling near the playground at Centennial Park where it will grow for years to come.
The event ended with a networking lunch at the local Senior Citizen Center.
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