LaCrosse lands DOE top five sewer funding

LaCrosse has been named one of the top five, highest priority cities in the state to receive a state loan for its sewer project. The town received almost $900,000 in loans to repair its sewer system. Of this, $23,000 is a forgiveable principal loan, which is money that the city doesn’t have to pay back.

Projects qualifying for Ecology’s clean water funding include upgrades and expansions of sewer plants and collections systems; septic system improvements; water re-use facilities; water cleanup projects; stormwater and groundwater projects; stream-side protection and restoration projects and public clean water education projects.

With the final 2013-15 state biennial budget in hand, the Washington Department of Ecology has selected 72 clean water projects to receive a share of $152 million in loans and grants during the state’s next fiscal year which began July 1.

State financial managers calculate that the funding will create more than 700 local construction and design jobs. Those jobs will contribute to economic activity in Washington that supports more than 1,600 jobs across the state.

Funding for Ecology’s integrated loan and grant program comes from a combination of dedicated state and federal money. Of the current $152 million shared with local communities, $25 million comes from the Centennial Clean Water Program which is funded through state bonds.