USDA Rural Development State Director Trina George and numerous local officials and leaders were in two Mississippi counties this spring to commemorate Earth Day and highlight USDA’s commitment to good environmental practices.
State Director George met with officials of the Tallahala Water Association in Bay Springs, Mississippi to mark a recent loan and grant from USDA Rural Development to the water association for improvements to their existing system. The event was held at the office of the water association in Bay Springs.
Although the event was about the funding given to the water association, the star of the show was a World War II veteran who is a board member of Tallahala Water Association. Asked to speak, he thanked USDA Rural Development and State Director George for showing faith in the water association by way of the funding. His presence was celebrated, and his enthusiasm brought smiles to almost all faces. Most of the persons in attendance found their way to thank him for his service to the nation and to the water association.
George then met with officials of the Highpoint Water Association in Winston County to announce a loan and grant to the water association. The funding was part of a large package of Earth Day projects that were announced by Undersecretary Dallas Tonsager on Earth Day 2011. The funding will go toward the installation of 35,000 feet of water lines to connect with a recently purchased water system and to upgrade Highpoint’s water treatment plant. This will help improve the water system for the 670 existing users and for the 153 new users from the purchased system.
“We are here today to mark funding for projects that have met good standards of environmental prudence as well as has set out to improve the lives of many rural Mississippians,” stated George. “Clean potable water is crucial to our everyday lives, to our economic development, and to sustaining our environment.”
The Highpoint Water Association event was attended by staff members for U.S. Senator Thad Cochran and U.S. Representative Gregg Harper.
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