NEWS RELEASE USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PUERTO RICO

Media Contact: Miguel Ramírez
Phone: 787-859-2880 ext. 118
E-Mail: miguel.ramirez@pr.usda.gov

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVESTS $16,520,000 IN A WATER PROJECT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LARES

     San Juan, Puerto Rico, December 7, 2005--José Otero-García, Puerto Rico State Director, announced the second phase of the construction of a water filter plant in the municipality of Lares.

     This water filter plant will serve over 6,060 families and over 251 rural businesses in the municipality of Lares. It will also serve 1,015 families in the municipality of Las Marías.

     This project consists of improvements of the storage and distribution of the water in the municipality of Lares. This project will guarantee water for the actual and future generation of the municipalities of Lares and Las Marías. It will also serve the wards of Espino, Chamarro and Cerrote of the municipality of Las Marías and Percha Ward of the municipality of San Sebastian. This community has been without water distribution for the past 30 years.

     USDA Rural Development has approved $16,520,000.00, including a grant of $6,000,000.00. The project has a total cost of $19,965,101.00. As of today this water filter plant is 58% completed and the water distribution lines are 100%. This numbers show President Bush compromise with the rural families of Puerto Rico indicated Otero-García.

     USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $54 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural America. As a result, over one million jobs have been created or saved through these investments.

     Additional information on USDA Rural Development Programs can be obtained by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov or by calling Miguel A. Ramírez at (787) 859-3104 ext. 118. USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.

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