The City of Mazeppa had the opportunity to host the Under Secretary of the Department of Agriculture Glen Smith to tour our Wastewater Treatment Facility project. As a newly sworn official, he is checking out examples of projects that the United States Department of Agriculture funds under its Rural Development program. Our project used a combination of Federal, State, and City funds to pay for this needed infrastructure project. Under Secretary Smith was impressed with the teamwork between State of Minnesota, USDA Rural Development, the City’s engineering firm, City staff, and the contractors to bring the project to fruition, and to perform all the necessary work to qualify for grant and loan funds. A small community like Mazeppa would not be able to do such a project without the aid of higher levels of government. Nearly 2/3 of the project will be done with grant funds from the State and Federal Governments.
It is expensive, but this is a facility that will be in place for 50 years. This is an investment in future growth of the City and in protecting the environment. We appreciate the visit from Under Secretary Smith, Representative Steve Jacob and the host of USDA officials touring our project. They had the opportunity to see that the funds are being spent responsibly and see the benefit this brings to our community.
