USDA Rural Development is guaranteeing loans to many rural electric cooperatives across the country. Included in that is Southeastern Electric based in Marion. They will get just over thirty six million dollars in low interest loans. Southeastern Manager Brad Schardin says they have plans for the money.



About three million dollars of that money will be used to continue expanding the “Smart Grid” system. Schardin says that helps them better manage their distribution.



Schardin says the smart grid also allows their customers to better manage their electricity usage.