Correction: Decatur REMC to improve service with $6.5 million federal loan
Correction and update: Sources originally reported this loan would improve broadband service but it is for electric service.
Decatur County REMC will see a $6.5 million dollar loan to improve local electric services, the electric cooperative is announcing.
Brett Abplanalp, CEO of Decatur County REMC, said electric cooperatives have long benefited from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Utilities Service Electric Program through access to low-interest loans. These low-interest loans allow DCREMC to strategically manage long term debt for capital improvement projects while balancing equity and impact to the member-consumer. DCREMC will tackle a number of electric infrastructure improvement projects as part of DCREMCs mission to provide reliable electric service to our members and communities.
The loan was announced this week by Congressman Greg Pence, a Columbus Republican. Abplanalp said the cooperative appreciates Pences support and advocacy of rural communities.
It is exciting to know that our legislators, namely Congressman Pence, are supporting the initiatives of electric co-ops and the rural communities we serve, he said.
Decatur County REMC serves almost 8,000 customers with more than 1,000 miles of line in Decatur, Bartholomew, Franklin, Jennings, Ripley, and Rush counties.
The USDA announced $900 million in funding this week through its Electric Loan program to build, preserve or improve rural electric infrastructure across 16 states.