WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $251 million investment in the upgrade of rural electric systems in 13 states.

The 12 projects that will be funded will serve rural areas in Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The funding will help build and improve 1,971 miles of line to improve electric reliability in rural areas.

The funding also includes $38.2 million to finance smart grid technologies that improve system operations and monitor grid security.

USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks. The total budget for Electric Program loans in fiscal year 2019 is $5.5 billion.

Source: USDA