USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDES FUNDS
TO TOWN OF BAGGS FOR WATER PROJECT

February 18, 2005 - Baggs, WY - USDA Rural Development provides an additional $597,000 to the
Town of Baggs for their water project. Funds will be used to bring the water plant into compliance with
the safe drinking water act. It is projected the project will benefit 220 users by providing them
with adequate, decent, safe and sanitary drinking water.

The additional money from USDA Rural Development was grant funds. USDA Rural Development
had previously provided a combination loan and grant in the amount of $798,100. Total cost of the
project is projected to be $1,486,200 with the State of Wyoming providing the balance of the
funds from the 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 RUS programs, contact the Rural Development
State Office at (307) 233-6719.