WASHINGTON â Thursday, in honor of Earth Day 2021, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced the U.S. Department of Agricultureis investing $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in 45 states build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship.
The grants include $7,335,000 to the Town of Shipshewana to improve operations at its wastewater treatment plant. The money will be used to upgrade the facility to meet current national electric codes, stop redundant pumping and streamline process piping/tanking to maximize efficiency of existing tanks. Funds will be used to correct infiltration to the digester tank and protect drying beds from winter elements to help improve sludge management, enabling the plant to process sludge year-round.