Ag districts to fund water projects, and more, in several disadvantaged west Fresno County communities
Four large agricultural water districts have kicked in an initial $580,000 to pay for water projects in several communities dotting the vast farming areas of western Fresno County. The funding amount will remain the same until the districts revisit the program in three years. The four districts – Central California Irrigation District, Firebaugh Canal Water District and the Columbia and San Luis canal companies – are members of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, which covers 240,000 acres from about Newman down to Firebaugh mostly in Fresno County. Together they have funded the new Community Infrastructure Program, which will focus primarily on projects benefiting the disadvantaged communities of Mendota, Firebaugh, Gustine, Dos Palos, Los Banos and Newman. However, nonprofits, community organizations and local governments may apply for funding as well.
Related articles: