USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer visited Franklin today to recognize the city for being selected to receive $4.5 million to make improvements to the city’s water and sewer infrastructure and refinance a previous USDA loan. The funding comes in the form of a $3,728,000 loan and $780,000 grant.
Rural Development financed the first phase of a water and sewer improvement project in Franklin in 2004. The new funds will cover costs of the second phase and refinance the loan portion of the 2004 funds.
“Clean water and the safe treatment of wastewater builds strong and sustainable rural communities,” Landkamer said. “The city of Franklin will be able to count on this upgraded and improved infrastructure to serve everyone living and working in the community well into the future. Investing in the future of our rural communities is always a good investment.”
The second phase of the project will make improvements and upgrades in the following areas:
• Upgrade the water treatment facility
• Installing a new water supply well
• Replace the water storage tower controls
• Replace some water, sewer and storm drains
“I am glad that USDA Rural Development is going to grant $780,000 to the city for repairs to the water and sewer systems in Franklin,” Mayor Ronald Degner said. “USDA also is allowing the refinancing of our existing debt to save on interest costs. We need a new well, upgrades to the water treatment plant and repairs of the leaks on County Road 29 and this is the only way we are able to do this much-needed project.”
USDA Rural Development has invested about $250 million to improve water and sewer systems throughout rural Minnesota since 2009. Rural Development also invests in housing, community facilities, business development, job creation, high-speed Internet and renewable energy.
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