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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1999)
p" I (.1 By Josh Knaub Staff writer i_ Officials in Chadron and Crawford credited a year-old state loan program with helping them pro vide clean water in their cities. In a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Mike Johanns said the loan pro gram, unlike state grants for such projects, would reuse funds to better water systems across the state. The two rural western Nebraska towns are among 24 municipalities that have qualified for low-interest loans through the state Department of Environmental Quality. „ Towns that qualify forthe pro gram receive loans at 3 to 4 percent interest. “As communities pay off these loans, those proceeds are then loaned to other communities for their pro jects,” Johanns said. “The money we’re investing today will be used over and over again to help communi ties improve their drinking water sys^ terns.” The money to fund the loans was raised through a sale of $2 million worth of bonds to Commercial Federal Bank of Omaha. Janet Johnson, a zoning and building official in Chadron, said her city was using the loan it received to buy new water treatment equipment. She said Chadron would have had to charge consumers substantially more for water without the state assistance. “Our (water treatment) building is fine, but the technology and equip ment are out of date and need to be_ replaced” Johnson said. “Without the loan, this probably wouldn’t have got ten done for a few more years.” Johnson said Chadron raised water rates two years ago and that another rate hike was imminent. “But there is only so much the consumer can bear,” she said. “(The rate increases) don’t come anywhere near covering the cost of the equip ment.” Rick Bay, a water quality official in the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, said cities were chosen for the program based on The money we re investing today will be used over and over again to help communities improve their drinking water systems Mayor Mike Johanns need. He said the state Department of Health and Human Services deter mined which communities would receive the loans. Bay said communities were using the funds for projects such as build ing new water towers, improving water treatment facilities and devel oping water storage facilities. For residents of Crawford, the state loan program means the city will avoid paying high rates to an out side lender while completing work on a new water control center. The water control center, which will house the city’s water quality testing and system maintenance facil ities, is the final stage in rebuilding the city’s water system. The water system was destroyed by a flood in 1991. Marlene Mohler, Crawford city treasurer, said the city has qualified for a federal grant to complete the facility but will receive the money only after completing the control cen ter. Mohler said the city has received money to develop its water systems from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and federal rural economic develop ment programs. A final grant - a federal commu nity development grant - will cover the cost of the water treatment center. She said without the state loan program, the city would have had to get a higher-interest loan from a bank to pay for the construction process. “This is like free money,” Mohler said. scare your friends? (No, no, no, keep your clothes on!) for 1/3 the Price - «■ wwwMnmiplayencom 4 Fringe and Tassel Costume Rental • Costumes, make-up and accessories for all of your Halloween needs. • Hundreds of costumes to choose from. Hurry in fbrthe best selection!!! SoecialHa llow een H ours Mon-Fri-18-29:11 am-9pm Sat-23 & 30:10am-5pm Sun 24: 12pm-5pm Sun 31st: 12pm-7pm the / Starts Tomorrow DOUGLAS THEATRES EAST PARK OBTHft-O' 467-3313 DOUGLAS THEATRES PLAZA 4 T2TH»'P' 477-1234 CHECK TOME MECfONES OR CN1 FOR SHOOTHES SOPBT.NO I pusscawoR I DISCOUNT COUPONS 1 nxsm I