Verdigris Valley Electric Gets $21M Loan From USDA

An northeast Oklahoma electric cooperative has received a $21 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help improve the delivery of electric power in rural areas.

The USDA announced $518 million in investments Tuesday to rural electric cooperatives in 15 states. The investments are provided by the USDA's Rural Utilities Service, which also administers programs that help bring broadband, safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment facilities for rural communities.

In Oklahoma, the Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative received the loan guarantee to build or improve 231 miles of line and make other system improvements. The loan amount also includes $510,000 for smart grid projects.

The cooperative provides electric service to more than 35,000 meters in parts of Nowata, Osage, Rogers, Tulsa and Washington counties.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.