USDA puts $394 million into infrastructure in rural areas
Some 2 million people in small towns and rural communities will benefit from projects to improve housing, health care and infrastructure in eight states and Puerto Rico, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday. Vilsack announced $394 million in grants, loans and loan guarantees for 52 projects through the Rural Partners Network.
Rural electric co-ops take role in solar energy initiative
More than 90 member-owned rural electric cooperatives in 16 states committed to install community solar projects by the end of 2017, said the White House in announcing an initiative to expand solar power and improve energy efficiency across the nation.
USDA awards $2.1 billion in rural electric loans
Some 77 utilities and cooperatives in 31 states from Florida to Montana will receive a total of $2.3 billion in loans to improve rural electric service, said the USDA. The loans would support work ranging from building new transmission lines to constructing solar farms and adding "smart grid" technology to reduce costs.
Obama selects McBride to lead Rural Utilities Services
President Obama selected Brandon McBride, a Senate Agriculture Committee staff worker, to serve as administrator of USDA's Rural Utilities Services, the White House announced.