Special to KRTN Multi-Media
(Presented to Commisisoners at 11-28-17 Meeting)
New Mexico Lawmakers Announce Over $2.5 Million in Federal Funding for the Raton Water Treatment Plant
WASHINGTON, DC – US Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Congressman Ben Ray Luján announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded funds, totaling $2.58 million, to help the City of Raton in northern New Mexico upgrade its Water Treatment Plant.
“The Raton Water Treatment Plant has served the City of Raton well since 1947 but it is long past time for the system to be upgraded and repaired,” Rep. Luján said. “This funding will not only allow Raton to make those improvements but will also address important health and safety concerns for the water plant’s employees.”
“Improving the outdated water treatment system in Raton is a worthy investment for the community. This grant will fund needed improvements to modernize the treatment facility and improve health and safety issues for workers,” Sen. Udall said. “The USDA provides important funding for rural development in New Mexico, and as a member of the subcommittee that oversees funding for the USDA, I will keep fighting for investments that help our rural communities thrive.”
“Through this funding, the City of Raton will be able to modernize their current water treatment plant. These kinds of investments yield long term public health benefits by ensuring families have access to clean and reliable drinking water,” said Heinrich. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to prioritize investments that improve infrastructure in our rural communities.”
The City of Raton will receive a loan of $1,754,000 and a grant of $829,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program. The funds will be used to upgrade the Raton Water Treatment Plant by repairing and replacing equipment, and by correcting existing health and sanitary issues in order to make the facility safer for personnel. These repairs will help the Raton Water Treatment Plant to continue to provide clean water to the city’s residents and 413 commercial customers for years to come.
