USDA Announces $1.3 Billion Investment in Rural Infrastructure, Arizona Set to Benefit

The USDA is investing $31 million in a solar farm to provide clean energy to the Navajo Nation.Photo byAmerican Public Power AssociationonUnsplash

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $1.3 billion investment in 116 rural projects across 30 states, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to strengthen infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and expand access to clean energy.

Arizona stands out among the beneficiaries, particularly through a solar farm project that will provide clean energy access to thousands of residents on the Navajo Nation, according to the USDA.

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Generation-Utah LLC will receive $31 million to build a solar farm that will serve residents of San Juan, Utah, and approximately 26,000 Native Americans in the Navajo Nation near Red Mesa, Arizona, the USDA says.

The funding for Arizona is part of a larger $852 million allocated through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, which supports building and improving electric infrastructure in rural areas.

This effort aligns with the USDA’s goal of delivering clean, reliable energy to underserved communities, particularly in Tribal regions, while also contributing to climate resilience, according to USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.

“Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA have taken action to create good-paying jobs by making sure every community can benefit from safe drinking water and a reliable electric grid that lowers bills for hardworking families,” said Torres Small.

“Today’s $1.3 billion investment in over 100 rural water and electric infrastructure projects is a continuation of that commitment.”

To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Tysonomo Multimedia is an independent news publisher committed to providing accurate, accountable journalism. Please share our stories and help us grow as we work towards informing and engaging our community.