STATEHOUSE - Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) announced Peru Utilities qualifies for a $5,766,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This money will be used to finance the new Grissom water treatment facility plant.
This is one of the State's first stimulus water projects to be announced. This is also the largest ARRA grant given in the state for wastewater recovery projects.
"This is the largest AARA grant given in the state and I am very pleased Peru Utilities will be receiving it," said Rep. Friend. "This grant would greatly assist building the new Peru Utilities wastewater treatment plant. This project will create jobs and raise property values. This will, I hope, attract business development and assist operations."
The current waste water treatment system is operating at capacity. Because this project is shovel-ready, and with a small window of opportunity, Peru Utilities qualified for the ARRA grant.
Peru Utilities General Manager Roger Merriman commented on the ARRA grant: "The biggest benefit of the grant money is we will have to borrow less and have a lower interest rate. This will ultimately lead to our customers paying less for our services."
The recovery act will distribute approximately $125 million to the Indiana State Revolving Fund. This fund is an existing program managed by the Indiana Finance Authority, which that makes loans to communities for wastewater and drinking water projects.
For more information about the State Revolving Fund Loan Program, go to the Indiana Finance Authority web site at www.in.gov/ifa/srf. |
