U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-Cornelius, NC) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), recently reintroduced bipartisan legislation to provide rural communities under economic strain with expanded assistance to repair, modernize and renovate failing water infrastructure. The Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act would grant the USDA additional authorities to provide low and zero interest loans, loan forgiveness and loan refinancing to help struggling rural water systems and wastewater systems across the nation.
“Rural water and wastewater systems across North Carolina often lack the financial capacity and resources to maintain affordable rates for their customers and make necessary improvements to their systems,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to work with Senator Shaheen to introduce bipartisan legislation that will provide USDA with much-needed tools and flexibilities to ensure our rural water utilities can continue to provide safe and affordable services for rural families and businesses in North Carolina and across the country.”