USDA Invests in Rural Infrastructure

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa has announced that the Department is investing over $32 million to strengthen rural infrastructure and create more good-paying construction jobs in Wisconsin.

Projects being funded include:

In Juneau County, a $1.5 million loan will help the Village of Lyndon Station make upgrades to the sewer collection and lift station system.

In Oneida County, a $5.2 million loan and a $1.3 million grant will help the City of Rhinelander make improvements to water mains, and sanitary and storm sewers.

And in Vernon County, a $24.2 million Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program loan will be used by Vernon Electric Cooperative to help connect 801 consumers and build and improve 203 miles of line. This loan includes $2 million in smart grid technologies. Vernon Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Westby, and serves on average 11,513 consumers through 2,180 miles of line through seven counties.

This program is part of a nationwide announcement that USDA is investing $6.3 billion in rural and Tribal communities across 44 states to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, provide safe drinking water and create good-paying jobs. More than 200 projects are being financed to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure in rural places, growing the American economy from the middle out and bottom up.