USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDES FUNDS
TO SUNSET RANCH WATER DISTRICT
 

February 11, 2005 - Newcastle, WY - USDA Rural Development provided $318,500 to Sunset
Ranch Water District for their water project. Funds will be used to construct a new water system.
The proposed project includes construction of a transmission line and a distribution system
throughout the District.  The Water District will connect to and purchase water fro the City of
Newcastle.  Residents of the District presently have to haul their drinking water.  It is projected
the project will benefit 36 users by providing them with adequate, decent, safe and
sanitary drinking water.  

The funding from USDA Rural Development was a combination loan/grant. The loan is in the
amount of $192,000 and the grant totals $126,500. Total cost of the project is projected to be $645,000
with the State of Wyoming providing the balance of the funds from the State Land and Investment
Board (SLIB) and Wyoming Water Development Commission.

According to Acting State Director Bill Butler, "The Rural Utilities Program, an agency of the USDA
Rural Development mission area, administers the water and waste/water loan and grant
program to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in rural America.
Priority is given to public entities in areas with less than 5,500 people to restore a deteriorating
water supply, or to improve, enlarge, or modify a water facility or an inadequate waste facility."

For additional information regarding the Rural Utility  programs, contact the Rural
Development State Office at (307) 233-6719