Last month, Mississippi Rural Development State Director Trina George organized an event in the town of Leland which spotlighted a loan and grant combination awarded to Black Bayou Water Association.
The water association, chartered in 1987, serves over 1,700 users with a service area of over 300 square miles. The funds for this project (from the regular USDA water and environmental program) will make the system more efficient and give the association the flexibility to expand water service to unserved and underserved areas in the future.
“I am glad to be here in Washington County to recognize this fine water association and to underscore the commitment of President Obama and of our agency to making life better for rural Mississippians,” said George at the event. “This investment will fund enhancements to your local water system that will produce better water for Washington County for years to come.”
The same themes were the subject of a talk given by State Director George at a statewide water conference held by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. Many local and state officials and agency staff were on the agenda, including the Mississippi Municipal League, the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, and the Mississippi Department of Health.
State Director George took the opportunity to describe to the audience of about 150 attendees the particulars of USDA Rural Development’s water and wastewater loan and grant programs for rural areas.
