Press Release                                         August 5, 2003

National Rural Water Association
2915 S. 13th Street
Duncan, OK 73533
580-252-0629   FAX 580-255-4476
Contact:  Kris R. Cash, nrwakc@nrwa.org
 

1Stop, Full-Service Works!

National Rural Water Association and its state affiliates are known for exceptional work in training and technical assistance.  But did you know, they go way beyond into the realm of being one-stop, full service associations? 

It’s a fact!  NRWA and its many branches offer a diverse range of services from management and financial to security and regulatory.  You may not be aware but over 30 of NRWA’s state affiliates are geared up to offer interim financing to water and wastewater systems receiving project funding from Rural Development.

Our Kansas affiliate; Kansas Rural Water Association provides interim financing through their Finance Authority (KRWFA).  According to David Shupe, KRWFA Senior Financial Analyst, “The Finance Authority was created to assist rural water districts and cities in evaluating financing options.  The Authority has issued bonds in excess of $64 million since 1988.“

“What is unique about KRWFA is that we serve as financial advisor to the borrower.  We sit on the borrower’s side of the table,” said Shupe.  Again, it gets back to NRWA’s belief in being a one-stop, full service organization. 

A good “full-service” example may be found in a recent project performed for the City of Atwood, Kansas.  The city received a Rural Development Loan in the amount of $1,642,900 and a Rural Development Grant of $1,477,600.  Through a bidding process, the city was able to secure a strong bid on the project.  The support they received from KRWFA, built their confidence and success in the project.  According to Shupe, “Taking bids is the only way to ensure that interest rates and fees are competitive.”

One-Stop, Full-Service Works!  Whether it is direct assistance with financial resources, management advice on how to handle a situation, help in the preparation of a vulnerability assessment or other security issues; the full-service concept prepares our rural water and wastewater systems for the challenges of tomorrow.

 

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