WASHINGTON (September 19, 2011)—Congressman Ben Chandler and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials today announced a Rural Development loan to help Franklin County upgrade the Farmdale Water District facility and increase water storage capacity. Former Governor Julian Carroll, Franklin County Judge Executive Ted Collins, and others also spoke at the event in Frankfort.

“If we want to make Central Kentucky a better place to raise a family or start a business, good infrastructure is a necessity,” Congressman Chandler said. “The kind of economic growth we hope to see in this region is going to require reliable infrastructure, and I’m hopeful the results of this loan will guarantee Franklin County residents have dependable access to fresh, clean water in their homes.”

The Farmdale Water District serves approximately 2,600 customers in Franklin County. The system’s average daily water usage is around 600,000 gallons while the current water storage capacity is only 355,000 gallons. The Farmdale Water District will use the loan, which totals $3,380,000, to increase its storage capacity, more efficiently read customer meters, and identify potential water leaks. The funding is made possible by the USDA Office of Rural Development and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.

###