Through its Rural Development electric infrastructure loan program, USDA is investing $345.5 million in 20 infrastructure projects to improve electric service in 14 states.

In Minnesota, two electric cooperatives will receive Rural Development loans:

• Freeborn-Mower Electric Cooperative. This co-op will receive $17.8 million to build 79 miles of line, improve 94 miles and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $313,392 for smart grid projects.

Freeborn is in Albert Lea, Minn. It provides electric service to nearly 20,900 consumers over 2,962 miles of line in Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower and Steele counties in southeast Minnesota, and Worth County in north-central Iowa. Faribault and Freeborn counties in Minnesota and Worth County in Iowa are designated as outmigration counties. The service area’s economy is predominately based on agriculture and the processing of ag products.

• Goodhue County Electric Cooperative Association. This cooperative will invest $7.75 million to construct 28 miles of line and improve 72 miles. The loan includes $315,000 for smart grid projects.

The Goodhue County co-op is headquartered in Zumbrota, Minn. It provides electric service to an average of 5,088 customers over approximately 1,323 miles of line in all or portions of Dakota, Dodge, Goodhue, Olmstead, Rice and Wabasha counties. Goodhue’s service territory is predominantly agricultural. Most non-farm employment is associated with agricultural and food processing activities.

USDA’s electric infrastructure loan program helps finance generation, transmission and distribution projects; system improvements; and energy conservation projects in communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

Other states receiving loans are California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

For more information, visit rd.usda.gov.

Source: USDA