BERLIN, Md. – Sept. 20, 2010-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 89 projects to protect public health and the environment by improving water quality and public sanitation services in 32 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Vilsack made the national announcement while touring a water system improvement project funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).

“Investments in water and wastewater projects like this one in Berlin will help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America,” Vilsack said. “These projects advance the Obama Administration’s economic recovery goals to provide reliable services in rural America. They create jobs and will support more job creation by supporting economic development initiatives.”

Secretary Vilsack said today’s announcement provides $445.3 million for 89 water and wastewater infrastructure projects in local communities through the Recovery Act. To date, USDA has announced $3.26 billion in Recovery Act funds for 884 water and environmental projects across the nation.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Michigan’s recipients are:

· Village of Breckenridge (Gratiot County): $4,903,000 loan and $1,497,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.

· The City of Manistique (Schoolcraft County): $3,064,000 loan and $936,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system improvements.

· Saginaw County (Kochville Twp): $2,468,000 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater 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.