OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An Oconto County company is getting a federal grant to expand and modernize Wisconsin’s rural electric grid.
Oconto Electric Cooperative in Oconto Falls will receive a $12.9 million loan to connect 614 consumers and build and improve 157 miles of line. This loan includes $325,000 in smart grid technologies.
Oconto Electric serves 10,068 consumers over 1,500 miles of line in five counties in northeastern Wisconsin.
“These are exciting, long-term infrastructure investments that will help rural electric cooperatives and utilities build and improve their systems,” said USDA Rural Development State Director for Wisconsin Julie Lassa. “Ultimately, this investment will strengthen opportunities in our rural communities while making the electric infrastructure more reliable and affordable for the residents and businesses who depend on it.”
The money is part of the USDA’s $613 million Electric Loan program. It will fund 64 projects throughout the U.S., benefitting nearly two million rural people and businesses.
Among the 64 projects, two are in Wisconsin. The second loan of $6.5 million will go to Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative.
