WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District received a grant of $254,000 and a loan of $596,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural Development program to replace existing sewer lines and extend the sewer system to better serve Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay and Southport, Maine. The rehabilitation improvements will address the aging infrastructure and capacity issues in the project area, as well as restore the design capacity of the system at a reasonable cost. The line extension will enable the remaining residents on the street to access a public sewer system.

“Wastewater management systems are critical to safety, wellness, and the environmental health of Maine communities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “This investment will fund important efforts to modernize infrastructure and increase efficiency for Maine people in the Boothbay region.”

The USDA Rural Development program recently provided 31 states with grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.