Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce $2 Million for Water, Waste Disposal Treatment Plant Improvements in Manistique, Michigan

Funds Made Available through the USDA’s Rural Development Program

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $2,661,000 to the City of Manistique through the Rural Development Program. The city received $1,995,000 in grant funding and a $666,000 loan from USDA to improve the water treatment plant.

“This funding will help improve water quality for the Manistique area, ensuring that over 1,400 families have access to clean drinking water,” Stabenow said. “Not only will these improvements help keep Michigan families healthy, but it will also protect our environment.”

“This funding will help Manistique ensure safe, clean drinking water for residents in an affordable way,” said Levin. “With tight budgets during a tough economic time, I am hopeful that this funding will provide important upgrades and create jobs at the same time."

The USDA funding will be used for phase two water treatment plant improvements by increasing disinfection byproducts in accordance with the rules by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The loan will be paid back over the next 40 years with a 2.75 percent interest rate.

For more information please go to http://www.usda.gov.

Source: Senator Carl Levin