FORT PLAIN - A number of local representatives have announced more than $1.3 million in loans and a $372,000 grant for a water project in the village.
The funding is out of a total $117.3 million in water and environmental project loans announced earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Fort Plain is set to receive $1.36 million in loans and $371,725 in grants to install a new water tank and add a new flirtation and dilution system onto its water system. The current water tower is from the 1980s and is has had a number of problems.
The funding will also be used to replace an 80-year-old pipe that has been washed out several times.
Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, announced the funding and said he is glad to help update the villages water system.
"I hope that these loans and grants will enable the community to provide even better services," he said.
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kristin Gillibrand also announced the funding and said it will help the village recover from the 2006 flood that hurt the villages water system.
"The village was hit hard by the 2006 flood and their water system infrastructure was left particularly vulnerable," Schumer said. "Investing in projects like these creates jobs and provides safe, quality water to the residents of the community."
Gillibrand agreed.
"This is a great investment for Fort Plain," she said.
The loans are part of the USDA's Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program, which are designed to finance water infrastructure projects in rural areas. They are focused on providing clean drinking water and sanitary sewer conditions to rural areas.
Fort Plain Mayor Guy Barton said the funding is desperately needed and will help replace a number of things that were weakened by the 2006 flood.
"I'm very pleased that the village has received this," Mayor Guy Barton said. "It certainly will help us upgrade our water system. We're hoping to have it done by late summer."
Grant to fund survey
The village also was presented with a$6,500 grant Friday at the Fort Plain Library.
The grant, from The Preservation League of New York State, will be used toward a reconnaissance-level cultural resources survey of the village, a news release said.
The survey will be completed by Jessie Ravage of Cooperstown. It will help prioritize planning efforts, creation of historic districts, and the rehabilitation of buildings threatened by development, the release said. This is the first Preserve New York grant to be made in Montgomery County.
"It is with this grant that the Village of Fort Plain can begin the process of preserving the many historic buildings that reflect the rich history here," Barton said in the release.
Kayleigh Karutis can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com