COVID-19 Relief Funds to Expand Internet in Mississippi
The Mississippi Public Utilities Staff awarded $66 million of federal CARES Act funds to rural electric cooperatives to expand high-speed internet connectivity in the state. Mississippi has long lagged behind the nation in internet coverage and speeds. The grant recipients have agreed to install a combined 2,765 new miles of fiber for internet by the end of the year, and another 1,980...Virginia Coop Partners with Utility and Broadband Company to Improve Internet Service to Rural Residents
Posted on Jul 27, 2020 in Broadband, COVID-19, Grid & Infrastructure, Technology | Comments Off on Virginia Coop Partners with Utility and Broadband Company to Improve Internet Service to Rural Residents
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is partnering with All Points Broadband and Dominion Energy to bring fiber-optic internet service to rural Virginia residents. As more and more human interactions are taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, fast internet service is needed now more than ever. If the project is approved by the State Corporation Commission, construction...
NRECA Urges Congress to Include RUS Debt Relief in Upcoming COVID-19 Stimulus Package
Posted on Jul 24, 2020 in RUS Debt Relief | Comments Off on NRECA Urges Congress to Include RUS Debt Relief in Upcoming COVID-19 Stimulus Package
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which represents more than 900 electric cooperatives in the US, is urging Congress to include a provision in the next COVID-19 stimulus package that would allow electric coops to reprice loans from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at current low interest rates without penalties. Current RUS loan rules apply hefty prepayment...
Kansas Cooperatives Helped by PPP
Posted on Jul 20, 2020 in COVID-19, Economic Downturn, Financing | Comments Off on Kansas Cooperatives Helped by PPP
Six Kansas electric cooperatives recently applied for and received up to $20 million in loans as part of the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a $2 trillion economic stimulus package passed by Congress in late March to help small businesses keep their workforces employed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Oregon Trail Electric Coop Launches 360-Degree Virtual Tours
Posted on Jul 17, 2020 in COVID-19, Economic Downturn | Comments Off on Oregon Trail Electric Coop Launches 360-Degree Virtual Tours
With a lack of tourism hurting local businesses, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative has launched a series of 360-degree video and virtual reality experiences to attract post-pandemic business investment, new residents, and tourists to eastern Oregon. The immersive experiences, which have been shown to cause the same brain activity in the viewer as if he or she were really in a new...
Pennsylvania Coop Helps Build Drive-In Movie Theater
Posted on Jul 7, 2020 in COVID-19 | Comments Off on Pennsylvania Coop Helps Build Drive-In Movie Theater
A Pennsylvania electric coop, Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative, has helped one of its communities build a drive-in movie theater in an effort to salvage a summer tourism season that has been disrupted by COVID-19.
Arizona Coops Help Fund COVID-19 Tests
Posted on Jul 7, 2020 in COVID-19 | Comments Off on Arizona Coops Help Fund COVID-19 Tests
As Arizona deals with one of the nation’s largest spikes in COVID-19 cases, electric cooperatives, including Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, are working with public and private agencies to sponsor free coronavirus tests for people in their service areas.
NHEC Votes to Help Members Access Internet
Posted on Jul 6, 2020 in Broadband | Comments Off on NHEC Votes to Help Members Access Internet
The board of directors of the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC), which serves 84,000 homes and businesses, has voted to pursue providing high-speed internet access for members.
Mississippi Legislature Passes Bill to Fund Rural Broadband Projects
Posted on Jul 6, 2020 in Broadband | Comments Off on Mississippi Legislature Passes Bill to Fund Rural Broadband Projects
Mississippi lawmakers recently passed a bill that would set aside $75 million for electric cooperatives and other service providers to service broadband internet to underserved areas, many of which are in rural areas of the state.
New Legislation in Congress Could Save Coops Billions
Posted on Jul 6, 2020 in Financing, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on New Legislation in Congress Could Save Coops Billions
Members of Congress introduced a bipartisan bill Thursday in both the House and Senate that could save electric cooperatives more than $10 billion by allowing them to reprice loans from the Rural Utilities Service at current low interest rates.
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