USDA investing $181M to upgrade rural electric infrastructure in 10 states
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe recently announced that USDA is investing $181 million to upgrade rural electric systems in 10 states, including $7.7 million to finance smart grid technologies.
“For more than eight decades, USDA has been a strong partner to rural communities in building and expanding electric infrastructure,” Rupe said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to investing in essential infrastructure upgrades that improve the quality of life in rural communities and help grow the rural economy.”
USDA is providing financing for 12 projects in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin through the Electric Loan Program. The funding will help to construct and improve 1,354 miles of line to improve electric reliability and resilience in rural areas.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities.
In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump, which included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local, and tribal governments. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
