Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02), is pleased to announce that the Rural Development agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved over $6.5 million in funding to the City of Butler, as well as an $8,248 grant to Brumbelow Foods in Randolph County, both located in the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia.
 
“The grants and loans being awarded to the City of Butler by the USDA will be a tremendous boon to the city’s infrastructure, and USDA’s focus on supporting our farmers will help keep Georgia competitive well into the 21st Century,” said Congressman Bishop. “The USDA’s Rural Development agency does a yeoman’s job in supporting the livability and efficiency of our rural communities.”
 
The City of Butler will receive funding from the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to be used for the wastewater projects. The package includes a $2,840,000 grant and a $3,660,000 loan for the city.
 
The funds for the City of Butler will be used to replace the city’s Vitrified Clay Pipe sewer mains, install new manholes, construct a lift station, optimize the existing pretreatment system, and replace of the existing High Density Polyethylene liner at the existing wastewater holding pond. The scope of the water project also includes replacement of asbestos concrete water mains and the construction of a 500,000 gallon elevated storage tank.
 
The USDA is also awarding an $8,248 grant to Brumbelow Foods in Randolph County under its Rural Energy for America Program. REAP is used to promote energy efficiency for farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses, and the funding for this program will support the installation of LED lighting at Brumbelow Foods.
 
Both recipients received these grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency, which provides both technical assistance and loans, grants, and loan guarantees to support essential services in rural America. This support is used to help communities with housing, economic development, health care, first responder services and equipment, as well as water, electric, and communications infrastructure.