Hart EMC Gets Major USDA Loan for Upgrades

Hart EMC is one of six rural EMC’s in Georgia who will be receiving a major loan from the USDA to upgrade their electric and power service.

The rural electric cooperative will be receiving over $25 million in loan money and another $526,000 for improvements to install smart grid technology.

The USDA announced last month it is awarding loans to 77 utilities and cooperatives in 31 states as part of $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure.

The funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program, which makes loans and loan guarantees to non-profit and cooperative associations, public bodies and other utilities, primarily for electric distribution in rural areas.

Hart EMC Vice President of Operations Keith Brown said the electric cooperative submits a plan to the federal government every four years.

“In that fourth year we fill out what we call a work plan,” Brown said. “And that work plan also has expected costs, which enables us to borrow USDA low-interest loans to keep power costs down on that infrastructure upgrade.”

Brown went on to say that most of the money will be used as part of Hart EMC’s plan for future growth.

“There’s areas in the counties where there’s growth going on, such as in business parks,” he said. “One area in Franklin County we’re focused on is putting in upgraded lines on Lavonia’s Franklin County Boat Ramp pump facility. We recognize that will require a bigger line. So we’re working to make sure we upgrade that line to meet their needs so they’re ready when put that pump on line.”

Lavonia City Manager Gary Fesperman said he expects the new lift pumps at the Franklin County Boat Ramp Road facility to be up and running by the end of the year.

Other EMC’s in Northeast Georgia that will be receiving grant money include Jackson EMC, and Washington Electric Membership Corp.