Rep. Womack, Sen. Boozman and USDA official David Branscum presented a USDA grant check to Mountainburg Mayor Susan Wilson.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Arkansas David Branscum to present a check for $8.9 million to the City of Mountainburg to improve its water infrastructure.

The USDA Rural Development award will enable the city to expand its water infrastructure to better serve members of the community.

“Adequate infrastructure is critical for access to clean, safe water. I applaud Mountainburg’s leaders who worked to secure these funds that will ensure this vital resource is available to their community. It is a great example of why I strongly support projects that enhance rural water infrastructure and remain committed to bolstering programs like this that improve the lives of Arkansans by passing Farm Bill 2.0,” Boozman said.

“We cannot allow our rural communities to be left behind, and the federal government can be a critical partner in helping them keep pace. USDA Rural Development’s investment in the first phase of Mountainburg’s water line expansion project in north-central Crawford County will pay dividends for years to come, ensuring families have access to clean, safe drinking water without having to haul water or rely on wells that fail quantity or quality tests. But there is still work to do, which is why I secured $4.4 million in the appropriations bills signed into law this year. This funding will build on the progress already made and extend access to clean water to more than 300 additional residents. I thank Mountainburg Mayor Susan Wilson for her initiative and hard work in engaging with her federal counterparts to meet the needs of both her city and the broader community,” Womack said.

Boozman serves as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, which has oversight of USDA. Under his leadership, the committee advanced Farm Bill 2.0 in September to boost financing and enhance support for rural water systems to deliver safe and reliable drinking water for rural residents.

The legislation includes more than 100 bipartisan bills and would improve access to USDA Rural Development programs as well as private capital so more communities can strengthen their infrastructure and the vital services that rural residents rely on. Boozman is currently working with his counterparts in the Senate and House of Representatives to craft a compromise farm bill that can pass both chambers of congress by the end of the year.