Vilsack announces loans, grants in Alaska, North Carolina, Arkansas, other places
October 24, 2014 | 04:32 PM
As Election Day nears, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week announced loans and grants in Alaska, North Carolina and Arkansas, where Democratic senators are tight re-election races, as well as USDA funding in other states.
On a trip to Alaska, where Democratic Sen. Mark Begich is in a tight race against Republican Dan Sullivan, Vilsack announced Thursday that USDA would provide more than $352 million in loans and grants to upgrade rural water and wastewater systems nationwide and make infrastructure improvements in rural Alaska villages.
“These investments are critical for our health and safety, and in the long term for sustainable economic development,” Vilsack said in a speech to the annual conference of the Alaska Federation of Natives.
“Investments like these in the nation’s water infrastructure also are critical to address the impact of climate change on our water supplies. The projects supported with these resources will ensure rural families have access to clean water and create jobs in communities across the country.”
A USDA news release also noted that since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested nearly $11 billion in new and improved water and wastewater infrastructure that has benefited nearly 15 million rural residents and almost 6 million households and businesses.
The same day, Vilsack announced in a news release from Washington that USDA has funded the first two loans under the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program, which is designed to help consumers reduce energy bills through energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems, in Arkansas and North Carolina.
In Arkansas, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Pryor, a Democrat is locked in a tight race against Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and in North Carolina, Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan is in a tough race against Republican Thom Thillis.
"These loans to North Arkansas Electric Cooperative and Roanoke Electric Membership Corporation are a landmark in our efforts to promote rural economic growth, while reducing greenhouse gases,” said Vilsack.
“The loans in North Carolina will provide up to $6 million for North Carolina’s Roanoke Electric Membership Corporation to finance improvements to HVAC systems, appliance replacements, and building envelope improvements for an average of 200 residential energy efficiency upgrades per year over four years,” USDA said. “Roanoke’s service territory includes both poverty and out-migration counties.”
“North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc. will get a loan of $4.6 million to fund geothermal and air source installations, energy efficiency lightning, and weatherization measures, including Energy Star windows and doors, insulation, efficient water heaters, and roofing. Financing will reduce energy costs for Arkansas consumers and improve the services within Arkansas Electric’s service territory.”
The loans come through USDA’s Rural Utilities Service.
Today Vilsack announced the selection of 43 organizations in 27 states for grants and loans to help create jobs and boost economic development activity in rural areas.
The announcement culminates a week in which the department has been highlighting products that are “Made In Rural America.”
The funding is being provided through the USDA’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program and the Intermediary Relending Program.
Vilsack announced $5.8 million in RCDG awards to 32 recipients, and just over $7 million in loans to 11 recipients under USDA’s Intermediary Relending Program. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
Today's announcement of RCDG recipients includes several who are developing new opportunities for rural farmers and ranchers by capitalizing on the fast-growing market for locally produced food.
▪ USDA — Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, October 24, 2014
On a trip to Alaska, where Democratic Sen. Mark Begich is in a tight race against Republican Dan Sullivan, Vilsack announced Thursday that USDA would provide more than $352 million in loans and grants to upgrade rural water and wastewater systems nationwide and make infrastructure improvements in rural Alaska villages.
“These investments are critical for our health and safety, and in the long term for sustainable economic development,” Vilsack said in a speech to the annual conference of the Alaska Federation of Natives.
“Investments like these in the nation’s water infrastructure also are critical to address the impact of climate change on our water supplies. The projects supported with these resources will ensure rural families have access to clean water and create jobs in communities across the country.”
A USDA news release also noted that since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested nearly $11 billion in new and improved water and wastewater infrastructure that has benefited nearly 15 million rural residents and almost 6 million households and businesses.
The same day, Vilsack announced in a news release from Washington that USDA has funded the first two loans under the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program, which is designed to help consumers reduce energy bills through energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems, in Arkansas and North Carolina.
In Arkansas, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Pryor, a Democrat is locked in a tight race against Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and in North Carolina, Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan is in a tough race against Republican Thom Thillis.
"These loans to North Arkansas Electric Cooperative and Roanoke Electric Membership Corporation are a landmark in our efforts to promote rural economic growth, while reducing greenhouse gases,” said Vilsack.
“The loans in North Carolina will provide up to $6 million for North Carolina’s Roanoke Electric Membership Corporation to finance improvements to HVAC systems, appliance replacements, and building envelope improvements for an average of 200 residential energy efficiency upgrades per year over four years,” USDA said. “Roanoke’s service territory includes both poverty and out-migration counties.”
“North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc. will get a loan of $4.6 million to fund geothermal and air source installations, energy efficiency lightning, and weatherization measures, including Energy Star windows and doors, insulation, efficient water heaters, and roofing. Financing will reduce energy costs for Arkansas consumers and improve the services within Arkansas Electric’s service territory.”
The loans come through USDA’s Rural Utilities Service.
Today Vilsack announced the selection of 43 organizations in 27 states for grants and loans to help create jobs and boost economic development activity in rural areas.
The announcement culminates a week in which the department has been highlighting products that are “Made In Rural America.”
The funding is being provided through the USDA’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program and the Intermediary Relending Program.
Vilsack announced $5.8 million in RCDG awards to 32 recipients, and just over $7 million in loans to 11 recipients under USDA’s Intermediary Relending Program. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
Today's announcement of RCDG recipients includes several who are developing new opportunities for rural farmers and ranchers by capitalizing on the fast-growing market for locally produced food.
▪ USDA — Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, October 24, 2014
