USDA Invests Over $2 Million in the Wind River Reservation to Expand Access to Water & Solid Waste Infrastructure
Written by Caleb Nelson on January 3, 2023
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Glenn Pauley announced investments of over $2 million to expand access to water and waste infrastructure on the Wind River Reservation.
The Water & Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands program projects will create economic opportunities and improve the lives of hundreds of people in rural Wyoming.
“We work closely with our tribal partners to collaborate on current and future projects to improve the quality of life on the Wind River Reservation,” Pauley says. “These projects will not only address the need for housing, but also upgrade infrastructure for people living and working in the area. Our goal is to provide access to safe, reliable drinking water and solid waste facilities and services while easing health risks.”
A $1.4 million grant has been awarded to replace older equipment for the Northern Arapaho Tribe Solid Waste Program (NATSWP). The new equipment will include waste cans for program users, as well as a skid steer, waste truck, cable hoist truck and a welding truck. The project will allow NATSWP to increase the number of waste program users, while increasing revenue and sustainability. This investment will help combat the many illegal dumping sites on the Wind River Reservation.
The Northern Arapaho Housing Authority received a $629,000 grant to assist in the development of community water and sewer infrastructure improvements, and the replacement of a sewer lift station for the Northern Arapaho Housing Authority’s Chief Black Coal housing project. The housing project intends to construct 20 single-family homes and a small community building in Fremont County.
The investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural America have equitable access to the infrastructure and economic opportunities they deserve.
Background:
The funding will benefit hundreds of thousands of people in 47 states and American Samoa. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development addresses economic development, infrastructure and social service needs for rural residents and communities.
The awards announced are being made in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and American Samoa.
Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas.
