When Ridgeway City Clerk Toni Storms picked up the phone this summer, she was out of options.
The city’s decades-old lagoon pump, which moves wastewater through the treatment process, had failed; replacement parts were no longer available, and every patchwork fix had fallen short. Without a new pump, the small northwest Missouri community risked falling out of compliance with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
That’s when Ridgeway found Communities Unlimited (CU).
The city of 379 people, located in Harrison County just off Interstate 35, applied for and received a $60,000 loan through CU’s Community Infrastructure Lending Program. CU, a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), primarily works in seven southern states but also provides financing to water and wastewater systems nationwide. CU received the referral from Midwest Assistance Program (MAP), its counterpart serving the Midwest and a member of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) national network.
CU Senior Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Ranniger handled Ridgeway’s loan. The city will contribute $20,000 of its own funds to the $80,000 project, which will fully replace and install the new pump.
“This is going to bring us up to code with DNR and make our system work properly and efficiently,” Storms said. The project not only brings Ridgeway into compliance but also protects residents’ health and safety.
Future Growth
Ridgeway recently annexed land stretching to I-35 in hopes of attracting new businesses and development. With a lagoon sized to serve far more than its current population, city leaders see infrastructure upgrades like the pump replacement as key to positioning the community for growth.
“If our system isn’t working efficiently, then even though our lagoon has the capacity, we might not be able to withstand growth,” Storms said. “Now we’ll be efficient, have the opportunity for growth, and avoid violations or penalties with DNR.”
Seamless Experience
Storms praised the loan process, saying Ranniger and CU were responsive and made the application straightforward.
“It was very quick and very thorough,” she said. “Anytime I had questions, Chris got back to me. Communication was wonderful, and the application process was easy.”
She added that CU’s support filled a critical gap after the city hit repeated roadblocks trying to secure funding on its own.
“It means everything. We’d been trying for quite some time to figure out how we were going to fund the project. At every turn we were running into a roadblock. This loan was huge for us.”
— Toni Storms, Clerk at City of Ridgeway
Lending That Matters
CU is currently offering 3% interest loans (normally 6%) up to $200,000, with quick approvals and flexible 10-year terms. Applications are due by September 30, and funds must be disbursed before that date.
Made possible through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), this program reflects CU’s mission as a Treasury-certified CDFI to ensure rural communities can access the capital they need. CU’s Water & Wastewater Lending helps small systems meet compliance, improve health and security, and expand or enhance service.
Storms said Ridgeway’s positive experience won’t be the last.
“I think it’s a wonderful program, and I will definitely be referring people to y’all. Networking with other little towns, we’re always asking, ‘Who can help with this?’ Now I’ll be pointing people toward Communities Unlimited.”
— Toni Storms
More information is available here.
