Representative Ted S. Yoho (R-FL) announced that $17,000,000 in funds have been secured and approved for the locally based Central Florida Electric Cooperative. This Rural Development investment will be used to build or improve 248 miles of distribution line and improve system operations benefitting 1,328 rural customers.
This funding also includes more than $1 million for smart grid technologies. Central Florida serves approximately 33,000 customers with 4,273 miles of line in Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy counties. More than 2,320 of these are commercial and 500 are irrigation consumers. The co-op, which has been operational since 1940, is expected to add more than 2,100 customers during the next decade. Following the announcement, Congressman Yoho released the following statement:
“The importance that our local cooperatives have on our everyday lives and communities cannot be overstated. These local co-ops are the backbone of our communities when it comes to ensuring a prosperous rural America. In my district alone, we are proud that nearly 52% of our constituents are served by co-ops. These funds will be critical in upgrading key infrastructure as well as protecting our grid which has been long overlooked.”
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities.
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