Investments to benefit approximately 21,000 rural Americans
BISMARCK, N.D., Aug. 18, 2020 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for North Dakota Clare Carlson today announced that USDA is investing nearly $13 million to build rural electric infrastructure in five counties.
“Modern infrastructure is important because it provides reliable service for rural communities,” said Carlson. “This investment is just one of the many projects we have to help improve the quality of life for North Dakota residents.”
Background:
Capital Electric Cooperative is receiving a nearly $13 million loan to develop their headquarters facility. Capital Electric serves approximately 21,000 consumers with more than 2,700 miles of line in five counties across south central North Dakota, including Burleigh, Kidder, McLean, Emmons and Sheridan. The new facility will accommodate the continued customer growth and provide a more favorable location with improved access to roads, systems and services for members.
Today’s investment is in coordination with the recent announcement made by the Trump Administration that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $1.6 billion for rural electric infrastructure in 21 states, including: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Below are examples of investments being made in other states:
- Wisconsin’s Dunn Energy Cooperative is receiving a $9.5 million loan to connect 599 consumers to build and improve 73 miles of line. This loan includes $3,287,765 in smart grid technologies. Dunn Energy, which is headquartered in Menomonie, Wins. Serves approximately 10,000 consumers over 2,001 miles of line in six counties in west central Wisconsin.
- Southern Indiana Power, based in Tell City, Ind., is receiving a $15 million loan to install 670 miles of fiber-optic cable to provide smart grid technology to approximately 2,636 subscribers within the distribution system. Southern Indiana Power serves on average 9,300 consumers and has over 1,650 miles of energized line throughout five counties in southern Indiana.
USDA is providing loans and loan guarantees to rural electric cooperatives and utilities through the Electric Loan Program. The recipients will use the funds to build and improve 9,138 miles of electric transmission and distribution line, benefiting 1 million rural residents and businesses. The loans include nearly $386 million for investments in smart grid technology, which uses digital communications to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage.
For questions regarding USDA’s Electric Loan Programs, contact a North Dakota Electric General Field Representative.
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 facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/nd.
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