Rural Wyoming to benefit from federal infrastructure plan

Holly Dorman
Posted 12/30/21

The town of Yoder recently received a grant worth $874,000 to replace water storage tanks

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Rural Wyoming to benefit from federal infrastructure plan

Posted

YODER – The town of Yoder recently received a grant worth $874,000 to replace water storage tanks, upgrade equipment and extend its water distribution system from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s infrastructure bill.

A total of $5.2 billion is going toward improving “critical rural infrastructure in 46 states and Puerto Rico,” according to a press release from the USDA.

“Infrastructure investments support the daily operations that keep our rural communities functioning and thriving,” Wyoming Acting State Director Janice Blare said in the release. “The town of Yoder will now have a more reliable water supply and distribution system that will serve not only the residents, but also the various businesses and industries in the area.”

Residents have already seen a new water tower go up and can expect other projects and new equipment to be installed in coming weeks. The water tower will provide a newer and better water distribution network, providing more adequate pressure to distribute the water.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack recently highlighted a total of 359 investments included in the Biden-Harris Administration infrastructure bill. There are seven programs under the USDA as part of the infrastructure bill. These programs are designed to build better water systems in rural areas as well as high-speed internet and electricity. These investments will cover programs such as Community Connect Grants, Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees and four other programs covering needs in rural areas.

These projects will happen in towns across Wyoming along with rural areas of Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Rhode Island, New Jersey and 35 other states and Puerto Rico.

As of 2019, Yoder had a population of 169 residents. It is the thirteenth smallest town by population in Wyoming with a population density of approximately 624 people per square mile.