U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $500,000 in federal funding for the Town of Machias in Cattaraugus County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Grant Program and allows the Village of Arcade and Town of Machias to make critical improvements to their wastewater and sewage systems. Specifically, these funds will allow Machias to construct a wastewater collection system around Lime Lake, as well as a transmission line to connect to an existing sewer main near Village of Arcade Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“This federal funding is great news for the Town of Machias and Village of Arcade in Western NY,” said Senator Schumer. “Expanding the waste water system is a wise infrastructure investment that will enhance public health, public safety and economic development. This federal funding will help take a tremendous financial burden off community residents and allow this project, which is vital to long-term health and prosperity, to begin right away.”
“This is a critical investment in the Town of Machias and Village of Arcade’s water infrastructure,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding will enable these communities to make necessary upgrades to the water system that will help protect public health, boost economic development and ensure that local taxpayers aren’t left alone to foot the bill.
“The project is critical to Lime Lake, and our team continues to get results,” said Town of Machias Supervisor Matthew Bull. “We remain on target with the overall timeline and receipt of this U.S.D.A. grant funding is another piece of the puzzle, and helps make this project affordable over the long term. On behalf of the Board and district users, we appreciate the efforts of those working on our behalf in Washington.”
USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Program provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.