Columbia, S.C., March 8, 2024 – As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, George W. Hicks, Jr., Acting State Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, announced today that $38.4 million in funding was awarded in the state of South Carolina to help ensure residents in our rural communities have access to reliable electricity.

“New Horizon Electric Cooperative in Laurens was the recipient of  $38.4 million in funding through the USDA, Rural Development’s Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program.”, said Acting State Director George W. Hicks, Jr. “This funding will help the New Horizon Electric Cooperative build and improve electric infrastructure for over 194,000 consumers living in our rural upstate area.  These improvements will advance smart-grid technologies and help expand renewable energy systems. Ultimately, this project will provide economic savings for businesses and people living in rural communities.”

This project will reduce electricity costs for hardworking families and small business owners and prevent power outages in the face of extreme weather exacerbated by the climate crisis. The investments will also strengthen the energy independence and help to create good-paying jobs in the upstate area.

These announcements advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of Federal climate, clean energy, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.