The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently invested $1.4 billion to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 21 states — and Georgia is among the recipients.
According to the announcement made by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Georgia’s Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is receiving $229 million to connect 25,650 customers and build and improve 1,275 miles of distribution line to enhance system resilience and reliability. Sawnee serves nearly 180,000 customers in seven counties north of Atlanta including Forsyth, Fulton, Dawson, Lumpkin, Cherokee, Hall, and Gwinnett.
“Modern and reliable electric infrastructure has been a cornerstone to rural prosperity since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,” Secretary and former Georgia Governor Perdue said. “This funding we are providing is critical to rural communities and reflects President Trump’s commitment to increasing prosperity across all of rural America. When rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
The Haywood Electric Membership Corporation, which serves about 27,000 members in three states including a small portion of northeast Georgia, is receiving a $24 million loan to connect 1,800 customers, build and upgrade 58 miles of distribution line, and build four miles of transmission line. The loan includes $750,000 to finance smart grid technologies.
The Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity was established in April 2017 by President Donald Trump to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance is designed to support infrastructure improvements, business development, housing, community facilities and high-speed internet access in rural areas.
