미국 미시간주 지역사회는 주 회전 기금(State Revolving Fund , SRF)으로부터 9억3천300만 달러 규모의 저금리 대출을 받아 주요 물시스템을 개선하고 있다. 미시간주 환경, 오대호, 에너지부(EGLE ; Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy)는 물시스템 개선을 위해 주 전역의 71개 프로젝트에 SRF 자금을 지원했다.

이 프로젝트는 주 전역의 식수, 지표수 및 지하수 자원으로 오염물질이 유입될 위험 가능성을 줄이고 지자체에 수도 요금을 인상하라는 압력을 줄인다. 이러한 저금리 자금조달 프로그램을 위한 기금은 식수 주 회전 기금(Drinking Water State Revolving Fund)과 청정수 주 회전 기금(Clean Water State Revolving Fund)에서 지원된다.

미시간주 전역의 도시와 마을은 내구연한이 지난 노후화된 인프라를 유지하기 위해 고군분투하고 있어 대출금에 대한 요청이 압도적이다. 물시스템은 가정의 수돗물에서 부터 여가생활, 홍수 통제 등 미시간 주민의 삶의 질에 매우 중요 부분을 차지한다.

SRF 대출은 이자율이 시장가 보다 훨씬 낮게 평가돼 지역사회가 상환할 필요가 없는 대출금의 일부인 원금 탕감을 확보할 수 있는 기회를 제공한다. 2023 회계연도에는 재정적 어려움을 겪는 지역사회를 위해 1억3천300만 달러의 대출금이 탕감됐다.

그러나 지역사회의 프로젝트 자금 조달 요청이 거의 3배에 가까운 가용 자금을 초과하는 등 수요가 가용 자금을 초과하고 있다.

폴 맥도널드(Paul McDonald) EGLE의 최고재무책임자(CFO)는 “보조금 금리, 연장 대출 조건 제공 능력, 신청 장벽을 없애기 위한 절차 개선 등이 SRF에 대한 역사적인 수요를 낳았다"라며 "이러한 장기 저금리 대출은 지역사회가 중요한 개선을 위해 자금을 신속하게 조달해야 하는 부담을 줄이는 데 도움이 된다"라고 말했다.

[원문보기]

Nearly $1 billion in low-interest State Revolving Fund loans help Michigan communities upgrade water infrastructure, protect health, environment

Critical water system upgrades are in the works in dozens of Michigan communities thanks to $933 million in low-interest loans from the State Revolving Fund (SRF). The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued SRF funding to 71 projects across the state in fiscal year 2023 for water system upgrades.

These projects reduce the risk of contaminants entering drinking water, surface water and ground water resources across the state and reduce pressure on local governments to raise water rates. Funds for these low interest financing programs come from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund – mixes of federal and state dollars dedicated to financing community water projects.

Requests for the loan dollars was overwhelming, as cities, villages and towns across Michigan struggle to maintain deteriorating infrastructure operating well beyond its intended lifespan. Properly functioning water systems are crucial to Michiganders’ quality of life – from the water flowing from taps to the numerous lakes and streams that provide amazing recreational opportunities and flood control. Effective infrastructure is often taken for granted until it fails, impacting the well-being of people and the environment.

The SRF loans assess interest rates well below market rate and provide the opportunity for communities to secure principal forgiveness – a portion of the loan that does not have to be repaid. In fiscal year 2023, $133 million in loan awards were forgiven for communities with financial hardships.  

Demand has outpaced available funding however, with community requests for project financing totaling nearly three times available funding.

 “Subsidized interest rates, the ability to offer extended loan terms, and process improvements to remove application barriers have resulted in historic demand on the SRF,” said Paul McDonald, EGLE’s chief financial officer. “These long-term, low interest loans help communities reduce pressure to raise funds quickly for critical upgrades.”

“The State Revolving Funds have provided financing opportunities for communities undertaking water infrastructure improvements over the past 30 plus years,” said Kelly Green, administrator of EGLE’s SRF programs. “Long term financing options at very low interest rates help communities and infrastructure users invest in their system’s capital improvement needs. EGLE’s unique understanding of water infrastructure systems and challenges sets up communities utilizing SRF for long term success.”

“Local governments are eager to do right by their constituents – in this case securing financing can protect their health and natural resources without big rate increases,” said Phil Roos, EGLE director. We are constantly looking for opportunities to leverage state and federal dollars to provide assistance to our local partners.”

Detailed information on the low-interest loans issued to communities this year can be found by accessing the SRF visual dashboard. The dashboard also contains information on every loan issued under the SRF programs.

Those interested in hearing more about EGLE grants and loans may subscribe to “EGLE grant and loan opportunities” communications and others by visiting our GovDelivery subscription page.

[출처 = EGLE(https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/press-releases/nearly-1billion) / 2023년 10월 10일]

[번역 = 배민지 차장]