http://www.usda.gov/2006/09/0381.xml Release No. 0381.06 Contact: Kristin Scuderi (202)720-4623 Claiborn Crain (202)720-1263 USDA ANNOUNCES OVER $234 MILLION IN ELECTRIC LOANS DENVER, September 27, 2006-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that 10 electric cooperatives serving rural residents in 15 states will receive more than $234 million in loans to improve infrastructure, erect new lines, and provide service to 6,200 new customers. "Our electric cooperatives are rural America's lifeline," said Johanns. "USDA has invested close to $23 billion since 2001 to maintain and improve electric service across the nation, part of a firm commitment to improve the quality of life for the communities, businesses and families who live in rural America." The loans are provided through the USDA Rural Development Electric Loan program, which provides infrastructure for economic development in rural communities. Since 2001, USDA has provided over 900 loans to rural electric cooperatives nationwide. One of the loans announced today is for $139,840,000 to the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., headquartered in Westminster, Colo. The utility will build almost 60 miles of new transmission lines and upgrade 242 miles of line in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. The Central Virginia Electric Cooperative will receive a $17 million loan to build 188 miles of new distribution line, serving more than 2,100 new customers in 14 counties. A complete list of the utilities receiving loan funds is available at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $72 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Over 1.2 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. # USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to mailto:webservices@xxxxxxxx?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE and reference your email address.
