(NAFB) – The Department of Agriculture celebrated Earth Day Thursday by announcing a $487 million infrastructure investment to help communities in 45 states.
USDA says the funding will help communities build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
The investments include $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states. The funding also includes $78 million in renewable energy infrastructure in 30 states through the Rural Energy for America Program, and $17.4 million in loans in New Mexico and South Dakota through the Electric Loan Program.
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(NAFB) – The Department of Agriculture Tuesday announced investments to modernize and improve rural electric grids through 11 projects under the Electric Loan Program.
The funding will benefit 460,000 rural residents and businesses in Arizona, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia. Several of the loans will help expand smart grid technologies, which can be a catalyst for broadband and other telecommunications services in unserved and underserved rural areas. The funding comes just weeks after grid disruptions during a historic cold snap across the nation.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “These USDA investments will bring affordable electric power to rural residents,” adding, “Now is the time for our nation to make significant investments in infrastructure.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $598 million rural electric loan package to build or improve electric infrastructure in 11 states, including Missouri.
According to the USDA, this $15 million Rural Development investment will be used to connect 1,955 consumers, and build and improve136 miles of line. This loan includes $432,000 in smart grid technologies. Intercounty Electric Cooperative serves approximately 30,000 customers through 5,700 miles of line in 10 counties in Missouri. It is headquartered in Licking in Texas County.
USDA is investing in 11 projects through the Electric Loan Program. This funding will benefit 460,000 rural residents and businesses in the 11 states. Several of the loans will help expand smart grid technologies, which can be a catalyst for broadband and other telecommunications services in unserved and underserved rural areas.