Agricultural News
USDA Invests $578.9 Million to Build and Improve Critical Rural Infrastructure in Rural Oklahoma
Thu, 16 Dec 2021 09:57:32 CST
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $5.2 billion to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in 46 states and Puerto Rico. The investments reflect the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to Building a Better America by investing in rural communities and will help expand access to high-speed internet, clean water and reliable electricity in people's homes and businesses across rural America.
"When we invest in rural infrastructure, we invest in the livelihoods and health of people in rural America," Vilsack said. "Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice president Harris, USDA is committed to Building a Better America by investing in America's rural infrastructure, expanding access to broadband, clean drinking water and resilient power infrastructure. The investments we are announcing today will drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone gets ahead for decades to come."
This announcement follows the recent passage of President Biden's historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development's programs are helping people, businesses and communities address critical infrastructure needs to help rural America build back better.
Investments in rural Oklahoma include:
Pine Telephone Company Inc. will use a $2,859,950 grant to construct a 34-mile Fiber-to-the Premises system to benefit 198 residents and 2 businesses in the Watson, McCurtain County, Oklahoma service area. With access to service up to 1 Gbps, subscribers will have access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities. A Community Center will be provided in an existing building where residents can use the Internet free of charge for at least two years.
Pine Cellular Phones Inc. will use a $2,752,250 grant to construct a 32-mile Fiber-to-the Premises system. This system will expand access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities for 86 residents and 4 businesses in the Little River Ranch, Pushmataha County, Oklahoma service area. Subscribers will have access to service up to 1 Gbps. A Community Center will be provided in an existing building where residents can access the Internet free of charge for at least two years.
Associated Electric Cooperative will use a $78,000,000 loan to finance generation system improvements. Associated is headquartered in Springfield, Mo. It provides wholesale power to six generation and transmission members, which in turn provide wholesale power to 51 distribution member cooperatives. These 51 distribution members serve 910,000 customers in northeast Oklahoma, Missouri, and southeast Iowa.
Northwestern Electric Cooperation will use a $41,807,000 loan to connect 593 consumers and build and improve 1,024 miles of line. This loan includes $1,199,700 in smart grid technologies. Northwestern is headquartered in Woodward, Oklahoma, serving 11,848 consumers over 4,999 miles of line in seven counties in the northwestern part of the State of Oklahoma.
East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative will use a $178,831,000 loan to connect 3,212 consumers and build and improve 181 miles of line. This loan includes $106,763,163 in smart grid technologies. East Central is headquartered in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, serving on average 33,619 connected consumers through 6,317 of energized line throughout seven counties in east central Oklahoma.
Southwest Rural Electric Association will use a $19,322,000 loan to connect 444 consumers and build and improve 193 miles of line. This loan includes $773,663 n smart grid technologies. Southwest is headquartered in Tipton, Oklahoma, and serves 7,600 consumers over 3,103 miles of line in five counties in Oklahoma and six counties in Texas.
Western Farmers Electric Cooperative will use a $234,410,000 to finance generation and transmission system improvements and the purchase of a headquarters facility. Western Farmers' generating facilities are in Mooreland, Hugo and Anadarko, Oklahoma and in Lovington, New Mexico. Western serves an estimated population of 494,000 in Oklahoma and 52,000 in New Mexico with additional customers in Texas and Kansas.
Sequoyah County Water Association will use a $12,358,000 loan to make water system distribution improvements. They plan to replace four pump stations, install waterline, replace a water storage tank with a new 330,000-gallon tank, install a new 220,000-gallon tank, and rehabilitate an existing tank. These improvements will correct some low-pressure areas in the water distribution system, allowing them to serve more of their own customers with water, reduce their water purchases by 70 percent and improve their operating expenses.
Choctaw County Rural Water District #6 will use a $3,144,000 loan and $387,000 grant to make water system improvements. The district plans to drill three water wells and loop two distribution lines. They currently purchase water and have no backup source. After completion of these improvements the District will produce their own water and have a backup source if needed.
Rural Water District No. 4 Comanche County will use a $2,479,000 loan to make improvements to their water system. The District has experienced growth, and these improvements are necessary to meet the needs of the community. Improvements include replacing 3.5 miles of water line, replacing one booster pump station, constructing an additional booster pump station and a new 250,000-gallon water storage tower, and installing an automatic meter reader (AMR) system. Once the project is complete, the system will decrease water losses, reduce operation and maintenance costs, and provide an adequate water supply to the expanding system.
Rural Water District No. 1, Cherokee County will use a $812,000 loan and $1,411,600 grant to make improvements to the water system. The treatment plant is dilapidated and has had many violations over the years regarding turbidity, high carbon, and disinfection by-products. The district will abandon the plant and purchase water from a neighboring system. The improvements include adding three- and one-half miles of six-inch and eight-inch waterline, constructing a 200,000-gallon water storage tank and a 200-gallon per minute pump station, and installing an AMR system. Installation of the AMR system will help the district reduce operation costs and reduce water loss, making the water system more sustainable.
National Rural Water Association will use a $333,000 grant to establish a revolving fund to make small loans to eligible water and wastewater systems in rural areas nationwide.
Background
Vilsack highlighted 359 investments that USDA is making in seven programs designed to help people in rural areas access high-speed internet, clean water and dependable electric power. These programs include Community Connect Grants, Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees, Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants and Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you'd like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov
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