(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, U.S. Senator Mark Warner and U.S. Senator Jim Webb announced today that, as a result of the economic Recovery Act approved by Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Rural Development Agency has awarded federal funding totaling $1,057,000 to Grayson County to construct a new water system to provide public water service to 75 homes in the Grant community as well as the West Grayson School currently under construction.

“I am pleased that the Rural Development agency has awarded economic recovery funds to Grayson County for a new water system in the Grant community. With the addition of the federal funds announced today, the Ninth Congressional District has received more than $60 million to date to construct new or improve existing water and wastewater systems,” Congressman Boucher said.

“I am pleased that Grayson County will receive these necessary funds to provide safe drinking water and water treatment systems while bolstering the local economy and reducing future costs,” said Senator Webb.

“These funds will help improve access to safe drinking water for homes and schools, improving overall quality of life and promoting new business opportunities in Grayson County,” Senator Warner said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Rural Development Agency is awarding a grant of $767,000 and a low-interest federal loan of $290,000 to Grayson County. With the benefit of the federal funds, Grayson County will install three miles of water lines throughout the Grant community. The new water system will provide public water service to 75 homes, which previously did not have access to safe and reliable public water service. Additionally, the new water system will provide safe drinking water to the West Grayson School, a K-12 school currently under construction. The new water system will enable future growth in the number of residents and businesses in the Grant community.

“Adequate and reliable water and wastewater systems are essential to maintaining Southwest Virginia’s excellent quality of life and to achieving our economic development goals for the region. Today’s announcement will assist our ongoing work to expand water and wastewater systems throughout Southwest Virginia,” Boucher concluded.