St. Paul, Minn., Dec. 12, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Colleen Landkamer today announced that USDA is investing $485 million in rural Minnesota to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, provide safe drinking water and create good-paying jobs.
“These investments will build modern infrastructure that will attract employers to Minnesota’s smallest towns and most remote communities, creating jobs, vibrant Main Streets, and lasting economic growth for the people who live here,” State Director Landkamer said.
More than 30 projects are being financed to strengthen Minnesota’s rural infrastructure, growing the American economy from the middle out and bottom up. A complete list of today’s investments in Minnesota can be found online.
Delivering Clean, Reliable Energy
USDA is providing $414 million 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 throughout Minnesota.
These projects will help ensure residents in rural Minnesota has access to reliable electricity to increase economic opportunity and improve quality of life. For example:
- East Central Energy headquartered in Braham received $73 million to build and improve 410 miles of line, connecting more than 2,500 customers. More than $8 million of this funding will be used for smart grid technologies.
- Stearns Co-Op Electric Association headquartered in Melrose received $48 million to build and improve 480 miles of line, connecting nearly 1,500 customers. More than $8 million of this funding will be used for smart grid technologies.
- Wright-Hennepin Co-Op Electric Association headquartered in Rockford received two loans totaling $68 million to build and improve 260 miles of line.
Strengthening Rural Water Infrastructure
USDA is also investing over $70 million to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and storm water drainage for communities across rural Minnesota.
The Department is making the investments through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to help local governments build or improve rural wastewater systems. For example:
- The city of Okabena received $10 million to improve its drinking water system. This investment will help the city construct a new municipal well and water treatment facility, rehabilitate its existing water tower, and replace its aging water distribution system.
- The city of Canton received $15 million to improve its water, wastewater and storm water system. This investment will help the city replace its watermain utilities and sanitary sewer.
- The city of Belview received $13 million to improve its water, wastewater, and storm water system. This investment will help the city replace its water distribution system, sanitary sewer collection system, and storm water collection as well as rehabilitate its existing water tower.
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.
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