U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega announced that the agency is partnering with Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association to invest $1.3 million in projects in Jackson and Monroe Counties.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA is partnering with rural electric cooperatives to strengthen local infrastructure and bring economic prosperity to rural Illinois,” said Ortega. “Rural electric cooperatives are an important USDA partner that supports economic and community development in rural communities across the state.”
USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program provided $1.3 million in funds to Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association for the following two projects:
- Degognia-Fountain Bluff Levee and Drainage District received $300,000 to install relief wells within a drainage and levee district in Jackson County. The new relief wells will protect 16,000 acres of farmland from flooding.
- Monroe County Electric Cooperative received $1 million to purchase property for equipment storage near the cooperative’s headquarters in Waterloo.
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.
To learn more about Rural Development programs, visit rd.usda.gov/il. If you’d like updates from USDA Rural Development, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
Photo Caption: Pictured above are representatives from USDA Rural Development in Illinois, Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association, and the Degognia-Fountain Bluff Levee and Drainage District.
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