States receiving USDA electric infrastructure loans. Source: NRECA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing more than $2.7 billion in rural electric infrastructure and broadband improvements in multiple states.

The electric infrastructure funding targets improvements in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The loans are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program, which is the successor to the Rural Electrification Administration.

The USDA is awarding nine broadband, high-speed internet grants in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia, as well as 10 loans to expand broadband in rural areas. The loans will provide new or improved broadband access for more than 71,000 residents and businesses in 74 counties in rural parts of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The awards are being financed through the USDA’s Telecommunications Program.

One of the electric infrastructure awards is an $18.3 million loan to the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative of Espanola, New Mexico, to build 58 miles, improve 28 miles of line and make other system improvements. Jemez will use $7 million for smart grid improvements.

In Oregon, the Harney Electric Cooperative is receiving an $11.7 million loan to build 53 miles of line and make other system improvements. The Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative in Portola, California, will receive a $14.2 million loan to improve 44 miles of transmission and distribution line, build one mile and make other system improvements.

The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative in Dade City, Florida, is receiving a $130 million loan to build 297 miles, improve 66 miles of line,and make other system improvements. The loan includes $1.4 million for smart grid projects.

The loans include a total of $127 million for smart grid projects.

Three North Carolina companies — Gamble Solar, LLC; Wadesboro Solar; and Salisbury Solar — are receiving $14.1 million to build solar photovoltaic energy farms in various parts of the state.