COLUMBIA, S.C. — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week the department is investing $5.2 billion in 46 states and Puerto Rico to improve clean water and dependable energy in rural areas.
South Carolina has been allocated just over $360 million for improvements from the USDA's Rural Development Infrastructure program. The funds are being distributed in the USDA's Electric Loans
Electric Infrastructure Loan
- Berkeley Electric Cooperative, $197,161,000 -- the loan will connect 19,184 consumers, and build and improve 1,101 miles of line. The loan also includes $3,012,406 in smart grid technologies. Based in Moncks Corner, Berkeley Electric serves an average of 107,835 members over 5,982 miles in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.
- Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, $140,000,000 -- will connect 6,652 consumers, and build and improve 296 miles of line. The loan also includes $53,761,000 of various smart-grid projects such as the installation of 1,262 miles of fiber to run a substation fiber ring to 11 of its 36 substations. Blue Ridge is headquartered in Pickens and provides service to 67,589 consumers over 7,135 miles of line in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties.
- New Horizon Electric Cooperative, $19,711,000 -- will finance upgraded transmission facilities. Based in Laurens, the five electric membership cooperatives namely Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Broad River Electric Cooperative, Laurens Electric Cooperative, Little River Electric Cooperative and York Electric Cooperative serve over 194,090 consumers in Greenville, Newberry, Greenwood, Pickens, Chester, Cherokee, Anderson, Cleveland, Oconee, Abbeville and Polk counties.
Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program
- Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority, $2,973,000 -- money will fund Phase 2 of the Holley Ferry/Spann Road Water Improvement Project. The project will construct an elevated water storage tank, a booster pump station and position a network of waterlines throughout the densely populated eastern side of Saluda county. This project will affect SCWSA entire system and benefit 1,758 customers. Other funds for this project consist of: Fiscal Year 2018 Rural Development Loan of $12,461,000; Fiscal Year 2018 Rural Development Grant of $2,584,000.
- Town of Calhoun Falls, $350,702 -- connect the existing residential service lines to the new pipes installed in the Calhoun Falls water system upgrade project in Abbeville County. The project includes relocating and connecting 112 existing residential service lines to the new pipes and meters. This project will improve water service, reduce repairs and improve water pressure.
