WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced more than $2.6 million to build and rehabilitatewaterand wastewatersystems in Paulsboro and Barrington. The funding comes through direct loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program.

"These federal resourceswill ensure that South Jerseycommunities continue to have access to clean drinking water and effective wastewater treatment infrastructure,"said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which funds USDA. "Modernizinglocalsewer systems anddrinkingwaterfacilities helps keep our environment clean andour familieshealthy."

"With these loans, rural communities can invest in their infrastructure, ensuring not only safe, clean and reliable water systems, but providing a boost to their local economies,"said Menendez.

The Borough of Barrington will receive a loan of more than $2.5million to rehabilitate thesewer systems in the borough and construct asump pumpdischarge system to address health and safety concerns. The Borough of Paulsboro's loanofmore than $550,000will be used to complete construction of new water storage equipment neededto accommodate the development ofthe Port of Paulsboro.

ThroughtheUSDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program,communities may obtain fundingto maintain and improvedrinking water and waste disposal systems. Last year, communities in New Jersey received more than $17 million through this program.For more information onthis and related programs,visithttp://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWEP_HomePage.html.

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