USDA Invests $20 Million in Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

(Oxford, Ohio, October 29, 2026) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Ohio State Director Charles Tassell and Congressman Warren Davidson (OH-08) announced a $20 million Electric Infrastructure Program loan to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

Rural Development's $20 million investment will support critical upgrades to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative's electric distribution infrastructure, including improvements along more than 1,120 miles of transmission lines. The project will also incorporate smart grid technology to enhance system monitoring, increase efficiency, and strengthen service reliability for more than 11,000 customers in the Miami Valley.

"President Trump is committed to protecting the American electric grid, and we're doing our part here at Rural Development," said Tassell. "This investment will ensure that thousands of rural households, farms, and businesses continue to receive reliable electricity from Butler Rural Electric Co-op."

USDA Rural Development's Electric Programs offers financing to electric utilities for maintaining, expanding, and upgrading America's vast rural electric infrastructure. These investments provide affordable electricity for rural residents and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services. To learn more about the agency's Electric Programs, contact General Field Representative Patrick Sarver at [email protected] .

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.

Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov , subscribe to GovDelivery updates , and follow us on X at @ohio_rd.

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