Just couldn’t pass up this opportunity to celebrate the generations before us who invested in the infrastructure we take for granted today…
On 80th Anniversary of Rural Electrification Act, USDA Invests More Than $200 Million in Electric Infrastructure Improvements in Five States
WASHINGTON, May 20, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act (REA) and announced funding to build and upgrade rural electric infrastructure in five states.
“Eighty years ago today, President Roosevelt signed the law which charged USDA to provide electric power to rural America,” Vilsack said. “Today’s investments continue a part of USDA’s mission that has brought reliable, safe and affordable electric power to America’s farms, ranches and rural communities, improved the quality of life for rural residents, increased farm productivity and made America the breadbasket to the world. Continuing to invest in rural electric infrastructure will help keep our economy strong.”
Also the USDA announced investments in Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina.
Wow, that equates to $2.75 BILLION today
Oops totally misread that. Thought it was $200 million invested in 1930 for REA.
Found it, $50 million in 1937 (worth $845 million today), and $40 million each year thereafter.