USDA funds Tennessee water project

1/31/2012

It appears Wayne County, Tennessee, will be able to move forward a two-phase water project along Tennessee 13 - a stretch of road that travels along the state's border with Alabama to its border with Kentucky, the Times Daily reports.

The project is expected to cover about 15 miles. Phase one will take place south of Waynesboro, while phase two will commence just north of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Wayne County received an $800,000 grant from the USDA's Rural Development program, as well as $830,000 from the Tennessee Economic and Community Development Agency. It plans to borrow another $1.2 million in USDA loans to help cover the expected $2.5 million expense.

"Finally, we've been approved for the loan grant from USDA Rural Development, and we have started the process of getting everything finalized so we will be able to start the bidding process soon," Wayne County executive Jason Rich told the news source.

By completion, more than 250 residents along Tennessee 13 will be provided with water, many of whom are still using wells and springs.

The USDA recently provided Tennessee - along with 33 other states - with disaster funds to help in the recovery from the past year's floods, the Associated Press reports. Specifically, Tennessee received more than $10 million.