Recovery Act Funds Safeguard Groundwater, Replace Aging Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the funding of projects in 20 states designed to protect public health by improving water quality and public sanitation services. The projects, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), are expected to provide construction jobs and create infrastructure needed to support community growth.

"Water and wastewater projects are moving forward in rural communities across the country and thanks to the Recovery Act, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America," said Vilsack. "Through these projects, we are advancing the Obama Administration's economic recovery goals to rebuild and revitalize the nation's infrastructure. They will create urgently needed jobs when they are built and will support more job creation through rural economic development for years to come."

For example, the town of Norway, Maine, has been selected to receive a $385,000 loan and $1.1 million grant for wastewater system alterations that will improve sewer system efficiency, protect public health and safeguard groundwater quality. The project will replace ageing clay pipes, service lines and manholes. The new waste water system will reduce the waste water discharge from the Norway treatment facility into the Little Androscoggin River.

In Pitt County, N.C., the town of Bethel has been selected to receive a $256,000 loan and a $2.4 million grant to replace an aging water system that is constructed of iron, galvanized steel and asbestos-laden cement pipes. The tap water has a high iron level and is discolored. Pitt County is designated a Persistent Poverty County, with over 22 percent of the town's population below the poverty level. The project will improve water quality and boost water pressure.

The loan and grant funding announced today supports 60 projects and totals $159 million. To date, USDA has announced $2.3 billion in Recovery Act funds for water and environmental projects. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama one year ago.

The funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Below is a complete list of award recipients, by state:

Alaska

• Matanuska Susitna Borough: $48,000 loan and $714,500 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Georgia

• City of Reynolds: $2,025,000 loan and $3,975,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

Illinois

• Fayette Water Company (Herrick): $1,125,000 loan and $1,124,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Fayette Water Company (Laclede): $1,000,000 loan and $941,500 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Lawrenceville: $6,040,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Roodhouse: $5,470,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Iowa

• City of Bronson $311,000 loan and $239,600 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southern Iowa Fixed Based Meters: $1,488,000 loan and $3,433,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southern Iowa RWA Corning/Creston: $1,971,000 loan and $774,900 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southern Iowa SW Cass Water System: $1,794,000 loan and $5,373,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Hastings: $493,000 loan and $682,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Service Systems Commission: $373,000 loan and $694,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Regional Utility Service Systems Commission: $419,000 loan and $1,064,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

Kansas

• Consolidated RWD #5 Atchison Co.: $3,200,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Nortonville: $622,000 loan and $493,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Maine

• Boothbay Harbor Sewer District: $342,000 loan and $250,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Mars Hill Utility District (Sewer): $70,000 loan and $180,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Mars Hill Utility District (Water): $750,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Norway: $385,000 loan and $1,105,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

Minnesota

• City of Pine City: $1,481,000 loan and $439,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.

Missouri

• City of Caruthersville: $1,500,000 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• City of Essex: $845,000 loan and $833,900 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Pike County PWSD #1: $2,732,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• City of Clarkton: $1,505,000 loan and $1,500,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• City of Grandin: $364,000 loan and $216,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• New Madrid County PWSD No. 6: $1,066,000 loan and $948,600 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Montana

• Wolf Creek WSD: $399,000 loan and $1,162,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

New York

• Village of Angelica: $500,000 loan and $347,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Avon: $212,000 loan and $488,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of LeRoy: $55,000 loan and $140,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Middletown: $475,000 loan and $708,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Oakfield: $420,000 loan and $338,200 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Stafford Water District #5: $404,000 loan and $496,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Village of Granville: $4,700,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

North Carolina

• Town of Bethel: $256,000 loan and $2,426,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Black Creek: $349,000 loan and $146,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Carteret County: $1,046,000 loan and $1,515,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Morehead City: $4,932,000 loan and $4,869,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Belfast-Patetown Sanitary District: $1,608,000 loan and $1,392,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Eastern Wayne Sanitary District: $2,164,000 loan and $1,811,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District: $3,529,000 loan and $2,971,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Town of Princeton: $333,000 loan and $458,800 grant; the funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.

• Town of Rose Hill: $1,585,000 loan and $1,736,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Vance County Water District Phase 2A: $2,196,000 loan and $1,622,800 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Vance County Water District Phase 2B: $3,937,000 loan and $1,987,450 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Ohio

• Adams County Regional Water District: $736,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Pennsylvania

• Ligonier Township Municipal Authority: $3,171,000 loan and $6,773,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

South Dakota

• Town of Oldham: $132,000 loan and $221,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• City of Hoven: $311,000 loan and $216,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.

Tennessee

• City of Dyer: $405,000 loan and $71,000 grant; the funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.

• Hampton Utility District: $695,000 loan and $288,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• North Utility District of Rhea County: $660,000 loan and $420,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Utah

• Central Utah Water Conservancy District: $5,000,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Sigurd Town: $620,000 loan and $2,266,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Vermont

• Canaan Fire District No. 2: $491,000 loan and $1,386,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Virginia

• Washington County Service Authority: $2,755,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

• Wythe County Old School Road Water: $640,000 loan and $426,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

West Virginia

• City of Keyser: $4,500,000 loan and $3,100,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Wisconsin

• City of Kewaunee: $4,904,000 loan and $2,086,500 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

• Village of Gilman: $550,000 loan and $155,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

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.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, today made the following comment on the Senate's passage of a $17.6 billion bill described by Democratic sponsors as a "jobs" bill.  The Senate's passage clears the measure for the President.

"I voted against this bill because it gives a healthy share of taxpayer dollars to Wall Street bankers instead of Main Street employers.  The Build America Bonds program got richer on every pass through the House and Senate.  Wall Street loves this program, which ought to be a red flag for taxpayers.  And the Democratic majority was so eager to pass this new spending bill that it violated its own spending guidelines and voted against applying its own budget restrictions to the bill.  For billions of dollars, we should see real bang for the buck in job creation, especially among the small businesses that create 70 percent of all net new jobs.  This bill isn't targeted nearly enough for small businesses."   

WHO:                  GENERAL PUBLIC

WHAT:                EASTER EGG HUNT

WHEN:                SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2010 10:30 - 11:30 AM

WHERE:             IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH,3834 ROCKINGHAM ROAD,DAVENPORT, IOWA

Immanuel Lutheran Church & Preschool in Davenport, is having an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3, 2010 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Open to all children ages 10 and under. Along with the Easter Egg hunt, there will be games, face-painting and a Coloring Contest! Bring a basket if you like, or a bag can be provided. In case of weather, event will be held indoors.

This event is free and open to the public.  We hope you are able to join us!  For more information, please contact the church office at 563-324-6431.

32 Ideas to Receive Immediate Refresh Grant Funding

For more information, go to: http://pepsico.presslift.com/pepsi-refresh-grant-winners

Purchase, NY (March 22, 2010) - The first Pepsi Refresh Grant recipients - who developed the 32 refreshing ideas voted most likely to move our communities forward - have been awarded $1.3 million from the Pepsi Refresh Project, a ground-breaking initiative designed to fund good ideas, big and small, that help refresh our world.

"The Pepsi Refresh Project was developed with the belief that great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere, anytime," said Jill Beraud, CMO and president of joint ventures, PepsiCo Beverages Americas.  "The first group of winners proves it's true.  Each of them is a testament to how someone from any walk of life can produce powerful, creative and fun ideas that can make a difference."

From improving the energy efficiency of school buses to promoting financial literacy among high school students, the top 32 vote-getters in six categories (Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education) caught the public's attention by making a compelling case for why they deserved a Pepsi Refresh Grant.  Refresh Grant recipients include :

• The American Legion of Indianapolis, IN, intends to use a $250,000 Refresh Grant to provide comfort items for U.S. military troops recovering from wounds (Neighborhoods);

• The Economic Empowerment Initiative of Atlanta, GA, will receive a $50,000 grant to provide financial literacy seminars for high school and college students (Education);

• The Frank Broulliet Elementary School PTA will use $50,000 to complete a community playground in Puyallup, WA (Neighborhoods);

• All-Ages Music, a network of music organizations based in Seattle, WA, will receive $50,000 to increase access to all-ages music in underserved areas (Arts & Culture);

• The Hugs Project of Edmond, OK, will use a $50,000 to send care packages to troops overseas (Food & Shelter);

• The Belleville Farmer's Market plans to use a $25,000 Refresh Grant to grow fresh produce to help fight childhood obesity in southern Illinois schools (Health);

• 14-year old Jonny Cohen of Highland Park, IL, will receive $25,000 for GreenShields,  a group he formed with his sister to make school buses more energy efficient (The Planet);

• Glenmont Elementary School of Delmar, NY, will receive a $25,000 Refresh Grant to build its community through swing dance (Arts & Culture);

• The Sparkle Effect of Bettendorf, IA, will use a $25,000 Refresh Grant to help high school kids across the country form cheerleading squads made up of special needs students (Neighborhoods); and

• Because We Are Sisters of Richmond, VA, will receive $5,000 to support seven families in need as they prepare for the arrival of a baby (Food & Shelter).

In January, the Pepsi Refresh Project invited individuals and organizations to submit beneficial, achievable, constructive and "shovel-ready" ideas that would make a positive impact on communities. From February 1 through February 28, Americans voted for their favorite ideas at www.refresheverything.com.

"It's an honor to collaborate with Pepsi and their partners to conceive and execute such an impactful program," said Ben Goldhirsh, CEO and co-founder of GOOD, a lead partner in the Pepsi Refresh Project. "It's very exciting to feel the Pepsi Refresh Project as a new and significant pulse in this shift that is upon us?where individuals, businesses, and non-profits are working together to push toward our potential."

In total, the Pepsi Refresh Project awarded two $250,000, ten $50,000, ten $25,000 and ten $5,000 grants. Other Pepsi Refresh Grant recipients include :

$250,000

• Teach for America, New York, NY (Education)

$50,000

• The Foundry for Art Design + Culture, Cohoes, NY (Arts & Culture)

• Active Minds, Inc., Laurel, MD (Health)

• Darren Riskedal, Leland, IL (Neighborhoods)

• Atlas Corps, Washington, DC (Education)

• ServeNext.org, Washington, DC (Neighborhoods)

• World Leadership Corps, New York, NY (Education)

$25,000

• APO Mu Alpha Alumni, Washington, DC (Neighborhoods)

• STRIVE-New Haven, Inc., New Haven, CT (Education)

• myImpact.org, Washington, DC (Neighborhoods)

• New York Needs You, Stamford, CT (Education)

• Social Studies Department, Springfield Middle School, Toledo, OH (Education)

• Patrick Nelson, Mankato, MN (Health)

$5,000

• Military Connections Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA (Food & Shelter)

• Quad City Animal Welfare Center, East Moline, IL (Neighborhoods)

• Nancy Nelson, Cherokee, IA (The Planet)

• The Detroit Area Diaper Bank, Canton, MI (Health)

• Blake Hammond, 6th grade science teacher, Merrill Middle School, Des Moines, IA (Education)

• Homespun: Modern Handmade Goods, Indianapolis, IN (Arts & Culture)

• Sharif Morad, Bike & Build, Charlottesville, VA (Food & Shelter)

• Crow Elementary School, Arlington, TX  (Education)

• Easter Seals New Hampshire, Manchester, NH (Food & Shelter)

New Round of Voting Begins April 1

In 2010, the Pepsi Refresh Project will give away more than $20 million to refresh the world, one idea at a time.  Each month, Pepsi will award up to $1.3 million in grants to the ideas with the most votes.  Pepsi will accept up to 1,000 new ideas every month and the public decides who wins. Vote for your favorite ideas now at www.refresheverything.com.

To support the project, Pepsi is partnering with three organizations dedicated to making a positive difference in the world: GOOD, a leading platform for thought and action revolving around pushing the world forward; Global Giving, an online marketplace that connects people who have community and world-changing ideas with people who can support them; and Do Something, the largest non-profit teen charity.

The Pepsi Refresh Project can be found at www.refresheverything.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/refresheverything or on Twitter, @Pepsi or #pepsirefresh.

Pepsi Refresh Project

In an effort to support those who generate innovative, optimistic ideas, the Pepsi Refresh Project (www.refresheverything.com) will award more than $20 million in 2010 to move communities forward.  Individuals can apply for grants to benefit a variety of projects and site visitors can vote for the best ideas for funding.  The Pepsi Refresh Project is an evolution of the Refresh Everything initiative Pepsi launched in 2009, which showed the brand as an optimistic catalyst for idea creation, leading to an ever-refreshing world.   Pepsi will fund projects that make a difference in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education.

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