Washington, D.C., May 27, 2026) – Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture celebrates the 90th anniversary of rural electrification, one of the greatest achievements in American history and a powerful reminder that when Americans are put first, America wins. Since January 20, 2025, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has invested $10.4 billion in rural electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems across the United States, continuing the mission first launched under the Rural Electrification Act (REA).
“Ninety years ago, the Rural Electrification Act transformed rural America and changed the future of this great nation,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “It proved that when government and local communities work together, there is no challenge beyond our reach. Today, the Trump Administration remains committed to advancing that legacy by ensuring our rural communities have the resources they need to succeed.”
On May 20, 1936, REA was signed into law, providing funding to advance electricity into rural areas. America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural families answered the call by forming cooperatives that secured financing to power their homes, farms, and businesses.
In just a few years, rural electrification transformed the country. Entire regions were lifted into economic productivity, and American agriculture supercharged into global dominance. By the 1950’s, more than 90% of farms in the United States had electricity, an achievement unmatched anywhere in the world. Many of the cooperatives formed during that era( still operate today, continuing to deliver power to millions of rural Americans.
“On the 90th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act, we recognize how it transformed rural America and launched the electric cooperative model—giving communities reliable, affordable power and a voice in their energy future,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “The Rural Utilities Service was created to carry that mission forward and today, RUS builds on that foundation by investing in resilient infrastructure and supporting access to reliable, affordable energy. It remains the most successful infrastructure financing bank in federal history and the lowest-cost source of financing for co-ops—keeping rates low while returning value to taxpayers through loan repayment with interest.”
The partnerships between USDA and rural electric cooperatives remain as important today as they were 90 years ago. Through RUS, USDA supports affordable and reliable energy infrastructure that keeps pace with economic growth, strengthens grid resilience, and hardens rural electric systems against cyber and physical threats.
The legacy established by REA is carried forward under the leadership of President Donald Trump, whose America First agenda has made U.S. energy independence, grid security, and domestic production top national priorities.
Ninety years after its founding, rural electrification stands as a defining example of what makes this country great: putting Americans first, investing in American workers, communities, and the future.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making RD’s investment data accessible to the public.
