USDA Partners to Improve Electric Infrastructure for More Than 347,000 Rural Americans Across 13 States
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $398.5 million (PDF, 105 KB) to improve rural electric service in 13 states.
“Reliable and affordable electricity is undeniably a necessity in today’s world,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in keeping our rural communities connected to this essential infrastructure.”
USDA is making the investments through the Electric Infrastructure Loan Program. Below are a few examples of the projects USDA is funding:
These projects will help improve the quality of life in rural communities in Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
The investments USDA is making today include nearly $43.7 million for smart grid technology to increase system efficiencies. Smart grid includes computer applications, two-way machine-to-machine communications, geospatial information systems and other tools to increase the reliability and efficiency of electric power systems.
The Department’s support for rural cooperatives and utilities underscores Secretary Perdue’s priority to promote rural economic development by centering around three principles: infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Investing in electric infrastructure has increased productivity and improved the quality of life in rural areas for nearly 80 years.
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. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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Utah Education Debate Coalition presents the State School Board Debate Series
On Wednesday, September 18, 2018, the Utah Education Debate Coalition kicks off its State School Board Debate Series with its first debate and candidate Meet & Greet!
Hosted by Viewmont High School (120 W 1000 N, bountiful, UT 84010) from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
There are 15 state school board districts that represent over 150,000 people each! The members representing these districts make critical decisions regarding the direction of education in our state. This year, eight districts will be voting for new members on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Of those eight districts, five of them will have debates hosted by the Utah Education Debate Coalition.
The debates give candidates time to discuss their stances on important issues, and for voters to meet, learn more about the individual candidates, and ask questions that matter to them.
The full schedule of debates:
• District 5: Wednesday September 19, 2018 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm Viewmont High School – 120 W 1000 N, bountiful, UT 84010
• District 1: Thursday September 20, 2018 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Edith Bowen Laboratory School – 6700 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84321
• District 3: Tuesday September 25, 2018 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm
American Preparatory Academy – 3636 3100 S, West Valley City, UT 84120
• District 9: Thursday September 27, 2018 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm Renaissance Academy – 3435 N 1120 E, Lehi, UT 84043
• District 2: Thursday October 4, 2018 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm Ogden High School – 2828 Harrison Blvd, Ogden, UT 84403
About the Utah Education Debate Coalition
Made up by the Hinckley Institute of Politics, Sutherland Institute, KSL, United Ways of Utah, and the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, the Utah Education Debate Coalition is a partnership created out of the commitment to advancing education in the state. Our mission is to create a better informed community through raising awareness of the importance of State Board of Education candidates and races. For more information, please visit www.utahdebates.org
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Sutherland Institute announces keynote and entertainment for annual gala
SALT LAKE CITY — Sutherland Institute is pleased to announce that Arthur Brooks will keynote its annual gala. Brooks, in his final year as American Enterprise Institute president, will be joined that evening by singer/songwriter Loren Allred, the voice behind the hit song “Never Enough” from the motion picture The Greatest Showman.
Please join us on Friday, Oct. 12, at the Grand America Hotel as we present the Sutherland New Birth of Freedom award to three Americans whose lives serve to preserve and promote freedom. Recipients for 2018 are Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard; Tracie Sharp, president and CEO of the State Policy Network; and Greg Miller, NBA Governor, Board of Directors, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.
“In the rich tradition of the Sutherland Annual Gala, we look forward to gathering and celebrating three great honorees,” said Rick Larsen, Sutherland CEO. “The 2018 New Birth of Freedom recipients are deserving, and each award presentation will be awe-inspiring. We are grateful to supportive sponsors, and too many leaders, presenters and elected officials to name, for making this event possible. Last but certainly not least, thank you to Arthur Brooks for making time to join his many friends and admirers in Utah in his final year at AEI. We look forward to this memorable evening.”
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to share AEI’s message with friends gathered in Utah next month to celebrate the Sutherland Institute’s annual gala,” Brooks said.
Attendees will be presented with Sutherland Institute’s newest publication, The Sun Is Still Rising: Politics Has Failed But America Will Not, written by nationally renowned pollster Scott Rasmussen, who will also be in attendance and will share brief remarks regarding societal trends and opinions going into the November midterms and beyond.
The purpose of this release is to inform members of the press about event details, including media access and availability (both before and during the event), and encourage members of the public who are interested in attending to contact Candice Pierucci.
*Media access to this event requires an RSVP*
This event is open to members of the media who RSVP in advance. Space is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To preserve the integrity of the evening, interviews will not be permitted during the dinner or program, but recordings are welcome. To speak with one of the attending guests, honorees or speakers, interview times will be made available prior to the event. These interviews can be scheduled with Kelsey Witt, communications director.
SUTHERLAND INSTITUTE 2018 ANNUAL GALA
A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM
SPEAKERS, HONOREES & PERFORMING GUESTS:
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. MDT
*A reception will begin at 6 p.m., prior to the dinner*
WHERE: Grand Ballroom, Grand America Hotel, 555 Main St., Salt Lake City
