WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program has awarded an $86,688,000 Electric Loan to three electric companies in rural Ohio to invest in electric infrastructure and strengthen reliability. These awards include:

  • $63,750,000 to Midwest Energy Cooperative to build and improve 1,193 miles of distribution and connect 1,160 customers,
  • $8,000,000 to Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative to connect 220 customers, upgrade 52 miles of line and make improvements to substations and metering points and,
  • $14,938,000 to Consolidated Electric Cooperative, Inc. to connect 659 customers, build and improve 69 miles of line and implement smart grid technology to improve system performance and reliability

“This is great news for consumers across rural Ohio,” Brown said. “This type of investment is critical for the region’s economic competiveness and will continue to ensure safe, affordable service for all area residents and businesses. Rural co-ops have and will continue to play a critical role in our state.”

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas by supporting infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

Brown has been a leader for Ohio’s rural communities, successfully securing a number of provisions that are important to Ohio farmers in the 2018 Farm Bill. He is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 50 years. 

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