USDA Invests $25.7 Million in Projects to Expand Affordable, Reliable Power in Rural Kansas

TOPEKA, March 6, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Rural Development Director Christy Davis today announced $25.736 million in funding for two projects to help ensure Kansans in rural areas have access to reliable electricity.

“Rural electric cooperatives are the backbone of power delivery in Kansas and Rural Development is committed to helping cooperatives modernize and expand their service,” Davis said.

Electric Infrastructure Loans

This announcement is part of a larger national announcement of 39 projects in 21 states through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. Funding will help utility providers and electric cooperatives build and improve electric infrastructure, smart-grid technologies and renewable energy systems.

The details of the Kansas projects are:

• A $21 million loan will be used to connect 360 consumers and build and improve 66 miles of line. This loan includes $349,062 in smart grid technologies. Western Cooperative Electric provides electric service to approximately 12,100 consumers over 4,020 miles of line in 13 counties. Headquartered in WaKeeney, Western Cooperative Electric services consumers in Barton, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Lincoln, Ness, Osborne, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan and Trego counties.

• A $4,736,000 loan will be used to connect 148 consumers and build and improve 51 miles of line. Nemaha-Marshall Electric is headquartered in the city of Axtell, serving 3,546 consumers through 1,464 miles of line through Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie and Washinton counties.

Background USDA makes funding available for the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program through regular appropriations from Congress. It provides funding to utility providers and electric cooperatives to build and improve electric infrastructure, smart-grid technologies and renewable energy systems. Through this program, USDA Rural Development ensures everyone in rural areas has access to electricity to increase economic opportunity and quality of life.

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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.