
National Rural Water Association
2915 S. 13th Street
Duncan, OK 73533
580-252-0629 FAX 580-255-4476
Contact:
Chris Wilson, nrwacw@nrwa.org
September 8, 2009
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USDA Celebrates 200 Days of Progress Implementing the
Recovery Act
In just 200 days, USDA has made
great progress in implementing the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act to support the Obama administration's goal of
rebuilding and revitalizing the nation's rural infrastructure to
create and save jobs. Our
economic problems weren't created in 200 days and they won't be
solved by the next 200 days - but we know that the efforts USDA is
making with Recovery Act investments projects throughout the country
are helping communities build a foundation for a stronger future.
Altogether, USDA has announced $27.8 billion of the $28.0
billion in Recovery Act projects appropriated to the Department. A
few of the landmarks the Department has achieved through the past
200 days include: USDA has
committed nearly $1.64 billion in funding for 454 waste and water
projects in 48 states to help spur economic development and improve
the quality of life for more than 4.8 million rural residents.
USDA has increased SNAP benefits so that the 34 million Americans
who rely on assistance to help put food on the table are seeing an
extra $80 per month going to the average family of four.
USDA has distributed 2,600 loans worth $173 million to help famers
buy the seed, feed and fuel they needed to plant this spring and
stimulate rural economies.
USDA has distributed 59,000 loans to help rural residents build,
repair, renovate, or relocate their homes and thereby helping
stimulate local economies and preserving jobs.
USDA has announced more than 100 projects with funding worth nearly
$200 million to protect watersheds, rehabilitate aging dams,
mitigate flooding and improve water quality.
USDA has begun maintenance work on400 miles of trails in our
national forest. These projects will create jobs while protecting
watersheds and local ecosystems.
USDA has treated approximately 40,000 acres of Forest land to reduce
the risk of catastrophic wildland fire.
USDA has announced $100 million for states so 5,021 school districts
for the National School Lunch Program.
USDA has announced $234 million for Community Facilities projects
totaling nearly 800 projects.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at
www.usda.gov/recovery.
More information about the Federal government's efforts on the
Recovery Act is available at
www.recovery.gov.
Original Release
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