Press Release

September 25, 2018
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $22,000 in Funding for Water Infrastructure in North East, Maryland

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) have announced $22,000 in federal funding for water infrastructure predevelopment planning in North East, Maryland. The grant – which comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program – will fund engineering and environmental reports to evaluate options to safely and efficiently upgrade the town’s storm water drainage system. Aging storm water systems have made North East especially vulnerable to flooding, and these reports will provide the city with important insight into the best course of action for mitigating future flooding, including a proposed project to create a storm water utility.

“Aging water infrastructure systems in Maryland and throughout the country pose a real threat to public health, our environment, and our local businesses, all of which depend on an efficient means of mitigating flood waters,” said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works. “This federal funding will allow North East to assess the demands being put on their drainage systems, and better protect their homes and businesses from future flooding.”

“Maryland’s success depends on the strength of our infrastructure in every region of our state, and this federal investment in North East will help achieve that goal,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Budget Committees. “This funding won’t just help upgrade the town’s storm water drainage system – it will support jobs and prevent future flooding. I will continue working in the Senate to invest in and modernize Maryland’s infrastructure – from our roads and bridges, to our public transportation and water management.”

USDA Rural Development was created to support economic development and social services in rural communities across America. Rural Development programs promote economic development by supporting essential services and infrastructure improvements throughout the region.                                               

###

X