Rural economic development grant - electric farm bill

The City of Sutton, Nebraska, received a $300,000 Project Grant awarded on July 3, 2025, through the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants program (CFDA 10.854), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Cooperative Services. Under the Electric Farm Bill designation, this award supports rural economic development initiatives with a two-year performance period through July 3, 2027. As a local utility organization, the City of Sutton, operating as Sutton Light & Water Services, serves as an intermediary to deploy these zero-interest funds to eligible rural economic development projects within its service territory.

The program funds projects that promote rural economic development and job creation, including feasibility studies, business start-up costs, business incubator initiatives, and other expenses designed to foster rural entrepreneurship. Based on the awardee's historical grant activities, the City of Sutton has experience implementing infrastructure improvement projects that enhance accessibility and economic vitality in rural communities. The grant funding enables the utility organization to establish or expand revolving loan mechanisms and provide pass-through financing to rural businesses and development projects demonstrating potential for sustainable employment generation and economic growth.