Gutknecht announces USDA Rural Development Loan for Federated Rural Electric Association

Washington, DC - Congressman Gil Gutknecht (MN-01) today announced a $740,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan for Federated Rural Electric Association in Jackson, Minn.

The interest-free loan will be used to provide funds to rural utilities program borrowers for economic development. Specifically, this loan directly assists in financing the construction of a new 50 million gallon per year ethanol plant. Project will create an estimated 70 new jobs in the local community.

"Thanks to USDA Rural Development and the Federated Rural Electric Association, Jackson County will continue to prosper," Gutknecht said. "The real winners here are the local citizens who benefit from the economic development this project provides."

In addition to electricity, USDA Rural Development provides funding to rural communities for housing, hospitals, clinics, high-speed Internet and other infrastructure projects. More information about USDA Rural Development is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn or by calling (651) 602-7799.

Gil Gutknecht is Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition and Forestry, Vice Chairman of the House Science Committee, and a member of the House Government Reform Committee.