Feds Award $420 Million for Dam Repairs and Flood-Control Projects
UNDATED (AP) - Federal officials are spending $420 million to repair hazardous dams and fund flood control projects in numerous states. The projects announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are funded through an infrastructure law signed last year by President Joe Biden. The largest allotment of nearly $96 million will go to Arkansas for 19 flood-control projects, including several in impoverished areas. Georgia will get about $69 million. Some of that will go to repair three high-hazard dams in poor condition that could result in deaths were they to fail. The funding is in addition to $166 million for nationwide projects announced last month by the Agriculture Department.
(-Related-)
USDA Projects in Kansas Will Help Emergency Protection, Renewable Energy and More
In honor of Earth Day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development in Kansas, Dan Fischer, announced investments of $3.34 million in eight Kansas communities. The details of the eight Kansas projects are:
- A $113,700 grant will be used toward the purchase of a fire engine for the Anderson County Fire Department. Once this engine is in service the county will be one step closer to having all its stations equipped with Class A fire engines. This will provide the county with new and improved firefighting equipment.
- A $2,917,200 grant will be used toward the construction of levee improvements for flood protection for the communities of Elwood, Wathena and rural areas of Doniphan County. Planning and construction will address the following issues: raising the levee, installing relief wells, making drainage structure improvements and replacing conduits. Once the project is completed, it will provide improved flood protection and increased safety.
- A $88,600 grant will be used toward the purchase and renovation of a building into a multi-purpose facility for the community of Bushton. The project will include the purchase of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, ceiling fans, a boiler and associated equipment. The project will provide this rural community access to new and improved public services.
- A $100,000 grant will be used by the Wichita State University Rural Energy Assessment Center toward providing energy audits and renewable energy development assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses. Dr. Bayram Yildirim and Dr. Deepak Gupta, professors at the Department of Industrial Systems and Manufacturing Engineering, will deliver energy efficiency audits for approximately 12 agricultural producers and rural small businesses throughout the state.
- A $20,000 grant will be used toward purchasing and installing a 60 kW rooftop mounted solar array at Clock Real Estate LLC, a Winfield based company with one employee. The project is estimated to generate 81,668 kWh per year, enough energy to power seven homes.
- A $20,000 grant will be used toward purchasing and installing a 15 kW wind turbine for BS Trailer Sales, Inc., a business in Dodge City. This project will realize $4,583 savings per year and will produce 58,764 kWh per year, enough electricity to power five homes.
- A $20,000 grant will be used toward purchasing and installing LED lighting for Gerken Rent-All Inc. at locations in Emporia. The project is estimated to save 339,417 kWh per year. This equates to 60.56 percent of their energy usage and is enough energy to power 31 homes.
- A $10,360 grant will be used toward purchasing and installing irrigation equipment for Boyd B. and Dedra K. Brant in Pratt County. The project is estimated to save 42,887 kWh per year. This equates to 60.56 percent of their energy usage and is enough energy to power four homes.
-30-