The city of Nappanee is about to embark on the largest public works project in the town’s history.

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly and Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson held a news conference Friday, Sept. 12, to announce the award of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant and loan to the city for a Sewer Wet Weather Alternative Project. The $28.9-million project will improve water quality and eliminate sewage overflow produced during wet weather, according to a news release from Donnelly’s office.

A grant of more than $12.8 million and a loan of more than $15.3 million was awarded to the city by USDA Rural Development. Nappanee is kicking in a remaining $700,000 to complete funding for the project. The loan will be repaid at 2.38 percent over 40 years, according to a press release.

Donnelly wrote a letter of support for the city of Nappanee’s application to the USDA, according to the news release.

Details of the project include 5,600 feet of sewer pipe, a 350,000-gallon surge storage tank and a 3.8 million-gallon storage facility.

Thompson said the “interceptor system for wet weather events” is the largest public works project the city has ever done.

"Without this grant and low-interest loans, this would have been extremely difficult for Nappanee to complete in a timely and affordable manner,” Thompson said.

Other than Donnelly, the press conference was attended by U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and Phil Lehmkuhler of the USDA Rural Development office. About 50 local business and government leaders, the police chief and the mayor’s granddaughter also attended the announcement.