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Funding from page 27 Figure 4 – 2022 WIFIA Schedule
life of the WIFIA loan. WIFIA’s
average program rate is 1.93%.
EPA accepts Letters of Interest
(LOI) starting September 6,
2022, and continues to do so
throughout the year until all
funds are awarded. The LOI is
essentially a pre-application that
the EPA reviews to determine
if the project meets the program criteria EDA’s Public Works Grant economic vitality of rural America. Rural
for project impact, project readiness, EDA’s Public Works program empowers Development is a leader in helping rural
and borrower creditworthiness. If the distressed communities to revitalize, America improve the quality of life and
project meets the criteria, EPA will invite expand, and upgrade their physical increase the economic opportunities for
the utility to make a formal application infrastructure. This program enables rural people.
(the application fee is then due). communities to attract new industry; WEP provides funding for the
Geographic diversity is one of the priority encourage business expansion; diversify construction of water and waste facilities
considerations. As an example of the local economies; and generate or retain in rural communities and is proud to
process, the WIFIA schedule for 2022 is long-term, private-sector jobs and be the only Federal program exclusively
provided in Figure 4. investment through the acquisition or focused on rural water and waste
EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance development of land and infrastructure infrastructure needs of rural communities
(EAA) improvements needed for the successful with populations of 10,000 or less. WEP
The EAA program assists state and local establishment or expansion of industrial also provides funding to organizations
interests in designing and implementing or commercial enterprises. that provide technical assistance and
strategies to adjust or bring about change In addition, EDA invests in traditional training to rural communities in relation
to an economy. The program focuses on public works projects, including water and to their water and waste activities. WEP is
areas that have experienced or are under sewer systems improvements, industrial administered through National Office staff
threat of serious structural damage to the parks, business incubator facilities, in Washington, DC, and a network of field
underlying economic base. Furthermore, expansion of port and harbor facilities, staff in each State.
the EAA program provides a wide skill-training facilities, and brownfields Summary
range of technical, planning, and public redevelopment. Utilities with strategically aligned
works and infrastructure assistance in U.S. Department of Agriculture – projects to specific funding program
regions experiencing adverse economic Water & Environment Programs priorities will be best positioned to
changes that may occur suddenly or Through Rural Utilities Service Water maximize funding opportunities. It’s
over time. These adverse economic and Environmental Programs (WEP), worth the effort to investigate what your
impacts may result from a steep decline rural communities obtain the technical community needs to do to successfully
in manufacturing employment following assistance and financing necessary pursue these and other funding
a plant closure, changing trade patterns, to develop drinking water and waste opportunities.
catastrophic natural disaster, a military disposal systems. Safe drinking water and Sheryl Chino, AICP, PMP, developed a
base closure, or environmental changes sanitary waste disposal systems are vital technical session on a similar topic for the 2022
and regulations. not only to public health, but also to the TCAPWA/SWANA Annual Conference.

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28 TPW November/December 2022