Today U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that Delaware County Electric Cooperative was awarded a loan of $5,000,000 through the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service. This funding will allow Delaware County Electric Cooperative to build and improve 53 miles of distribution line, two substations and make other system improvements.
“This USDA award is the juice we need to power our rural communities like those throughout Delaware County,” said Senator Schumer. “Partnering with the Delaware County Electric Cooperative is just what the USDA should be doing; by spreading smart grid technology in the region we improve quality of life, generate affordable power, create jobs and grow our economy.”
“Investing in key infrastructure like this is one of the fastest, most effective ways to support job creation,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Upgrading Delaware County’s electric grid will help cut energy costs for families and businesses in rural communities with better efficiency, while helping to attract new businesses and new jobs to Delaware County with infrastructure built for the 21st century.”
USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service funding helps electric utilities upgrade, expand, maintain and replace rural America’s electric infrastructure. The agency also funds energy conservation and renewable energy projects. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $172 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.