U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Christy Davis today announced that USDA is investing $79.079 million in rural Kansas communities to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid and provide safe drinking water.

“Strong communities are rooted in their people and these infrastructure investments will attract employers to our rural towns, creating lasting economic growth for the people who live there,” Davis said.

The details of a local Southwest Kansas investments are:

A $3,700,000 loan and a $1,100,000 grant will help the City of Fowler replace and upgrade water mains and replace isolation valves and hydrants as necessary. Other equipment to be replaced include all the existing water meters and installing an automated meter reading system, water wells will have essential rehabilitation performed, and telemetry upgrades will be added.