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NYRWA News
The deadline is approaching to apply for our scholarship program. As many of you know, each year the NYRWA distributes one-time grants to five students across New York State valued at $500.00 to help defray the cost of tuition, books or room and board at an accredited institution of higher learning approved by the NYRWA. This is a member benefit, and we appreciate your assistance in ensuring students from your area have this opportunity to apply. In order to be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must complete the application form in its entirety and return it to the NYRWA by the entry postmark deadline, February 3, 2025. All pertinent information on applying is within the Official Rules, including the requirement to include an essay and student transcripts to be eligible. The application can be found here. Please be sure to share this application with anyone that will be attending college in the Fall of 2025.
It is never too early to start planning! We look forward to seeing everyone in May. Thank You to our Current 2025 Conference Sponsors! Premier Sponsors Silver Sponsors
We are currently upgrading our website, and the registration process is unavailable at this time, however we wanted to share our 2025 Projected Training Schedule. Please check the website periodically to see if the classes are open for registration. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The National Rural Water Association established the Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF) through a grant from the USDA/RUS, with repaid funds used to replenish the fund to facilitate new loans. The NRWA RWLF is a funding mechanism specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small water & wastewater utilities. Eligible Systems • Water or Wastewater Systems serving a population of 10,000 or less • Loan amounts up to $200,000 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less • Emergency loans are 90-day no interest • Absolutely NO administrative or processing fees are applied by NRWA • Reasonable interest rates • Straightforward and quick application and approval process – usually within 1 week of application submission • Typical Projects – pre-engineering planning, disaster response/recovery, equipment replacement, and small capital projects Rural Water Loan Fund – A Quick and Easy Resource for Urgent Funding The Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF) is a funding program specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small water and wastewater utilities. The RWLF provides low-cost loans for short-term repair costs, small capital projects, or pre-development costs associated with larger projects. The RWLF was established through a grant from the USDA/RUS, and repaid funds are used to replenish the fund and make new loans. Eligible Projects • Pre-development (planning) costs for infrastructure projects • Replacement equipment, system upgrades, maintenance and small capital projects • Energy efficiency projects to lower costs and improve system sustainability • Disaster recovery or other emergency loans are available Key Points • Reasonable, below market interest rate (currently 3%) and a maximum repayment period of 10 years • Straightforward application process and quick turnaround time (just a few days if documents are in order) • Loan amounts may not exceed $200,000 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less • Emergency loans are 90-day no interest, with immediate turn around on applications • NRWA charges no administrative or processing fees • Systems must be public entities (municipalities, counties, special purpose districts, Native American Tribes, nonprofit corporations and cooperatives) serving up to 10,000 persons, or in rural areas with no population limits RWLF Success: Darlington, Indiana The community of Darlington, Ind. used the Rural Water Loan Fund to start repairs on their aging wastewater plant. The 30-year-old plant had been badly neglected and equipment was beginning to fail. "So many things are in dire need of repair,” explained Judy Anderson, Darlington Clerk-Treasurer. "We weren’t aware of many of the problems.”
When it became clear major repairs and upgrades were needed, the town started seeking grants and loans to begin repairs. Darlington applied for a $500,000 State Development Block Grant three times and requested a similar-sized loan from their state loan fund. "We’ve tried to get a grant for I don’t know how long, "Anderson said. "We needed to get going.” The town learned of the RWLF from a utility superintendent assisting their system. Darlington leaders saw the program as a chance to make some of the needed repairs while they waited for larger grants. "It was very simple, very quick "Anderson said. "They were very easy to work with.” The town received a $100,000 loan and immediately began repairs to the wastewater plant. "There was an enormous need to get something done now,” Anderson said. "It’s hard to put into words all the things needed. It’s nice that there are things like this program for small towns.” How Can I Apply? Information can be emailed, if available electronically, to the email address below. Applications and supporting documents can also be sent by mail. Applicants may also contact any State Rural Water Association for assistance in preparing and submitting the required documents. Mailing Address: Rural Water Loan Fund 2915 S. 13th Street Duncan, OK 73533 Email Address: nrwarwlf@nrwa.org To Download an Application: rlfapp_2.pdf This is just one more way YOUR NYRWA Staff try to assist you in maintaining…Quality on Tap! Have you received water and/or wastewater technical assistance from NYRWA? Have you attended NYRWA in-person or web-based training? Has your system benefited from a Source Water Protection Plan or Energy Efficiency Assessment from NYRWA? If so, WE NEED YOUR HELP! NYRWA is respectfully asking our system members to draft and submit letters of support for the services you have received. These letters are crucial, so we can deliver your message to our elected representatives that more needs to be done to fund water and wastewater infrastructure. Please, we need as many members as possible to draft the support letters on your letterhead and mail to our office at: NYRWA, Inc. Let's make this letter-writing campaign a huge success! Please participate. We thank you in advance for your consideration. 
Upcoming Training
Don't have time to spend traveling to sit in a class all day? The best place to receive renewal web-based training is at home or work, whichever your schedule allows. You can work at your own pace. SunCoast Learning Systems offers some great topics that will fit your certification requirement needs. Online courses are New York State-approved and offer the flexibility and convenience you are looking for. For more information, call 1-800-269-1181 or visit https://www.suncoastlearning.com/courses/ny.
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