Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $5.2 billion to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in 46 states and Puerto Rico.
Of that, over $300 million will benefit rural Kentucky by way of 12 projects.
“When we invest in rural infrastructure, we invest in the livelihoods and health of people in rural America,” Vilsack said. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is committed to building a better America by investing in America’s rural infrastructure, expanding access to broadband, clean drinking water and resilient power infrastructure. The investments we are announcing today will drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone gets ahead for decades to come.”
Big Rivers Electric Corporation will use a $59,400,000 electric loan to build and upgrade transmission facilities.
Cumberland Valley Electric will use a $24,122,000 electric loan to connect 1,768 consumers as well as build and improve 129 miles of line. This loan includes $4,774,258 in smart grid technologies.
Clark Energy Cooperative Inc. will use a $5,912,000 electric loan to connect 558 consumers and build 18 miles of line.
Pennyrile RECC will use a $37,037,000 electric loan to connect 2,124 consumers as well as build and improve 140 miles of line. This loan includes various smart grid projects including the installation of over 586 miles of fiber backbone communication network.
Farmers RECC will use a $15,920,000 electric loan to connect 1,720 consumers as well as build and improve 176 miles of line. This loan includes $598,515 in smart grid technologies.
Cumberland EMC will use a $150,000,000 electric loan to connect 13,200 consumers as well as build and improve 848 miles of line. This loan includes a smart grid project to upgrade smart grid infrastructure with a fiber-optic cable network.
Hardin County Water District No. 1 will use a $995,000 loan to construct a new booster pump station and perform various improvements to the water treatment plant. Improvements will include replacing an undersized and aging raw water pump station, bringing another filter online at the plant, and replacing rails and catwalks. These improvements will help ensure increased supply, pressure, and system reliability, and they will help minimize maintenance while increasing safety at the plant.
East Casey County Water District will use a $1,202,000 loan and a $718,000 grant to upgrade and/or replace three pump stations, construct a 200,000-gallon elevated tank, repaint and add a mixing system to another existing tank, and install 1,000 new water meters, six telemetry units, and five insert valves. These steps will help provide adequate pressure and storage capacity and improve water service and quality.
Nicholas County Water District will use a $1,221,000 loan and a $204,000 grant to replace approximately two miles of water mains, replace three pump stations, replace customer meters with radio-read meters, and rehabilitate three water storage tanks. These efforts will help reduce water loss and provide a safe and dependable water supply.
Rattlesnake Ridge Water District will use a $1,906,000 loan and a $816,000 grant to replace approximately 4,000 water meters with radio-read meters, replace approximately 700 service lines, install 14 new master meter vaults, and construct approximately four miles of water lines. These efforts will help reduce water loss and improve water quality and reliability.
Southeastern Water Association Inc. will use a $622,000 loan to replace an old, deteriorating water tank that has foundation failure and compromised structural integrity with a 100,000-gallon water tank. This will result in increased storage and system pressures, thereby eliminating a health and safety issue due to low pressures.
The city of Caneyville will use a $380,000 loan and a $127,000 grant to complete the replacement of approximately five miles of aging and obsolete asbestos concrete water lines with new PVC water line, along with valves, fire hydrants, and reconnection of service.
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 health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
The Department of Agriculture touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to 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.