NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 10, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Tennessee State Director Arlisa Armstrong today announced that USDA is investing more than $176 million in rural communities across Tennessee to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, provide safe drinking water and create good-paying jobs. This investment is part of a $6.3 billion investment being made across 43 states.
“Today’s investments will build modern infrastructure that will attract employers to rural Tennessee, creating jobs, and lasting economic growth for the people who live here,” Armstrong said. “We are pleased to provide more than $176 million to five projects to help strengthen infrastructure in our rural communities, growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up.”
Delivering Clean, Reliable Energy
USDA is providing $5.7 billion in funding through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program to help utility providers and electric cooperatives build and improve electric infrastructure and smart-grid technologies in 23 states.
These projects will help ensure everyone in rural America has access to reliable electricity to increase economic opportunity and improve quality of life. In Tennessee:
Powell Valley Electric Cooperative received $34 million to connect 2,812 consumers and build and improve 195 miles of line. This loan includes $4,770,780 in smart grid technologies. Powell Valley Electric Coop is headquartered in New Tazewell, Tennessee and provides electrical service to about 34,037 consumers in parts of Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, and Union in the state of Tennessee and Lee, Scott, and Wise in the state of Virginia.
Cumberland EMC received $100 million to connect 14,514 consumers and build and improve 1,262 miles of line. This loan includes $45,593,564 in smart grid technologies and the project will include approximately 1,591 miles of backbone fiber. Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation is headquartered in Clarksville, Tennessee, and provides service to approximately 111,000 consumers through 8,599 miles of line serving seven counties in Tennessee and five counties in Kentucky.
- Tri-County Electric Cooperative received $34 million to connect 4,245 consumers and build 122 miles of line. Tri-County Electric is headquartered in Lafayette, Tennessee, and providing service to more than 55,800 consumers over 5,636 miles of line in seven counties in north central Tennessee and nine counties in south central Kentucky.
Funding will benefit Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Strengthening Rural Water Infrastructure
USDA is also investing nearly $642 million today to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and storm water drainage for people in 41 states.
The Department is making the investments through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program and the Solid Waste Management Grants program.
The agency is helping state and local governments, private nonprofits and federally recognized Tribes build or improve rural wastewater systems. In Tennessee:
Town of Somerville received $7.7 million to expand the wastewater treatment plant and conduct lagoon modifications for the town of Somerville. The scope of the proposed expansion is to increase all unit processes to a 2.0MGD facility and reduce ammonia levels in the lagoon.
- Sneedville Utility District received $53,000 to provide potable water to the Newman's Ridge Community in Sneedville, Tennessee. The project consists of installing 9,140 feet of four water lines. The project will also consist of upgrading an existing pump station and adding two additional pump stations. The project will benefit over 60 residents.
Funding under both programs will help people living in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and healthcare; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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