USDA Ohio Rural Development State Director David L. Hall today confirmed a $9 million loan to St. Mary’s-based Midwest Electric is among 16 the agency is obligating to improve rural electric infrastructure nationwide.
“More than 80 years ago, the Rural Electrification Administration first lit the way for farmers, ranchers, and residents in small towns across America,” said Hall. “Today, access to reliable, affordable electricity remains a core component of USDA’s efforts to modernize rural infrastructure. This loan to Midwest Electric will help build or improve nearly 75 miles of line and includes funding for smart grid projects that will support residential and commercial customers in seven west-central Ohio counties.”
The loans announced today are being made through USDA’s Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program. It helps finance generation, transmission and distribution projects, along with system improvements and energy conservation projects in communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
These investments will build or improve 1,660 miles of electric line serving rural homes, farms and businesses. In addition to Ohio, USDA is funding infrastructure improvements for utilities in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Dakota and Washington.
Funding for these loans was included in the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. It allocates significant resources for infrastructure investments, including $6.25 billion to USDA for electric loans. The measure also directs Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to make investments in rural communities with the greatest infrastructure needs.
In addition to funding in the 2018 Omnibus bill, President Donald J. Trump has proposed a $200 billion infrastructure investment plan that allocates 25 percent ($50 billion) to rural projects.
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. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
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 www.rd.usda.gov.