West Kentucky Rural Electric to receive $25 million infrastructure loan

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that West Kentucky Electric will receive a $25 million electric infrastructure loan to connect more than 3000 consumers, and to build and improve 94 miles of transmission line. 

The loan includes $4.3 million in smart grid technologies including 22 miles of fiber, which is being installed overhead in existing right of way. 

West Kentucky Electric provides electric service to more than 40,000 consumers over more than 4,200 miles of line in six counties in western Kentucky. 

The investment is one of two for Kentucky utility companies totaling $147 million for electric infrastructure investments. Big Rivers Electric Cooperative in Henderson will receive $122.7 million.