USDA Announces Funding to Expand Affordable, Reliable Power in Rural Kansas, Including Washington County

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Rural Development Director Christy Davis on Wednesday, March 6th announced funding for a project to help ensure Kansans in rural areas of North Central Kansas, including Washington County, 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. 

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 Washington Counties.

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.

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.