USDA Rural Development announces more than $19 million for Idaho city’s infrastructure improvements

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Idaho State Director Rudy Soto announced in a press release that the agency will provide funding to make improvements to the city of Preston’s aging wastewater treatment and collection system.

The $19.2 million in funds, $10.3 million of which is grants and $8.9 million of which is loans from the USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs, will help replace collection lines, construct a new oxidation ditch treatment plant, and make significant improvements to the overall system, the release said. The project will establish a long-term solution to manage solid waste as efficiently and cost effectively as possible to prepare for population growth over the next 50 years.

“I want to extend the upmost gratitude to the many leaders who had a helping hand in bringing these much-needed investments to bear for the city of Preston and surrounding communities,” Soto said in the release. “Clean and sanitary water is essential to our existence. This is also a crucial step towards expanding economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for southeast Idaho for generations to come.”

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas, according to the release. To learn more about the agency, go to www.usda.gov.