WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program has awarded a $6 million Electric Guaranteed Loan to Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative Inc. in Kenton, an energy provider serving approximately 7,800 homes and businesses in Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Logan, Union, Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot, Marion, and Morrow Counties. Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative Inc. will use the funds to improve electric service delivery by building or improving 41 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines, and making other necessary improvements. The loan includes $368,800 for smart grid projects.

“This is great news for consumers in west-central Ohio,” Brown said. “This type of investment is critical for the region’s economic competiveness and will continue to ensure safe, affordable service for all area residents and businesses.”

Brown is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 50 years. In 2014, he was part of the Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee that successfully negotiated a five-year farm bill that had been stalled for more than three years. Brown supported a strong Rural Development title in the 2014 Farm Bill to encourage economic development and increased infrastructure investment in rural communities.

Staff report