SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that the Village of Brighton will be receiving a $4,995,000 low interest loan and a $1,355,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for water system improvements. The funding comes through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program. 

“All of our communities deserve to have reliable access to clean drinking water,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m so glad to announce more than $6.3 million in federal loan and grant funding that will help the Village of Brighton upgrade their water system and resolve issues faced by local residents. I look forward to seeing how this investment benefits our community and I’ll keep working to bring more resources like this to communities in need across Central and Southern Illinois.”  

“The Village of Brighton is faced with aging infrastructure issues that has led to the interruption of service for customers of Brighton Water. Loss of Service, Low pressure, and boil orders are an inconvenience, as well as a health and safety concern for our citizens and customers. Replacing this infrastructure is a great financial burden. Thanks to the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program, the Village was able to obtain a low interest, long term loan, as well as a percentage of the overall project in grant funds. These factors made it possible for our system to pay for the project over time which prevented passing the cost on to the customer all at once. With the completion of this project, we will be eliminating the areas which have historically had the most issues, which will in turn lead to safe, uninterrupted service for our customers. The Village appreciates USDA Rural Development program staff who have worked with us along the way to make this an easy process,” said Brighton Mayor Matt Kasten.

USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Programprovides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

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