Rural Coops to Receive Millions in Loans to Improve Infrastructure and Install Smart Grid Technologies
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that rural electric coops in 10 states will receive loans, worth $334 million total, to install smart grid technologies and make improvements to their facilities. The loans will be provided by the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service. The new funding includes almost $20 million to install smart grid technologies. In Georgia, Jefferson-based Jackson Electric Membership Corporation will receive a $102.8 million guaranteed loan to build and improve more than 850 miles of distribution line and make other system improvements. Click here for a full list of the rural utilities that will receive USDA funding, which is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan agreement.
