Harris Announces More than $2.7 Million in USDA Grants to Eastern Shore Jurisdictions

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today announced the award of $2,767,897 in federal grants to Eastern Shore communities from the US. Department of Agriculture. Funds will be used to update, repair, and extend wastewater service in Worcester County and the Town of Oxford, as well as be used to extend rural broadband service to residents in Talbot County. Specific funding allocations and descriptions are below:

• Worcester County Government, $1,518,000
  • Funds will be used to extend sanitary sewer service to residents in Berlin, Maryland who currently have failing septic systems
• Town of Oxford, $443,000
  • Funds will be utilized to help finance the upgrade of the town wastewater treatment plant to enhance nutrient removal
• Easton Utilities Commission, $806,897
  • Funds will be utilized to construct a 17 mile Fiber-to-the-premises system to connect rural residents to high-speed broadband

Congressman Harris issued the following statement:

"As the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which is responsible for funding these grants, this is welcome news. Securing fast and reliable broadband for all our rural residents is a top priority of mine, and we continue to make great progress. Additionally, I'm pleased to see that these wastewater funds will enhance sanitary handling of sewage, especially where they further our goal of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay."

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