Gogebic Range Water Authority will create, retain 132 jobs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced the Gogebic Range Water Authority will receive more than $8.6 million to make water system improvements. The funding was provided through a $5,106,000 loan and $3,552,000 grant and will create or retain 132 jobs in the area, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA announced the loan and grant through its Rural Development Water and Environmental Program, as part of the stimulus, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"This is another significant investment of stimulus funding in the Gogebic Range Water Authority," said Stupak. "By upgrading vital infrastructure, this project will provide communities in the region with safer drinking water while creating and retaining construction jobs and building a foundation for future economic growth in the area. I appreciate the USDA's continued commitment to funding infrastructure projects like this one in rural communities across northern Michigan."
The Gogebic Range Water Authority will use the funding to construct more than 17,000 linear feet of water main, provide an emergency backup water supply to the city of Ironwood, and provide a total backup of water supplies to the entire Gogebic Range Water Authority regional system. The Gogebic Range Water Authority is nearing the end of a long-term project to join the communities of Wakefield, Wakefield Township, Bessemer Township, Bessemer and Ironwood Township together into one water production and delivery system.
The USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Program provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and to protect the environment in rural areas. To date, the USDA has announced $2.2 billion in stimulus funding for water and environmental projects throughout the country.
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