The Haywood Electric Membership Corporation, which serves about 27,000 members in three southern states, is receiving a $24 million loan to connect 1,800 customers, build and upgrade 58 miles of distribution line, and build four miles of transmission line.

 

The loan includes $750,000 to finance smart grid technologies. Haywood provides electric service to eight counties in Western North Carolina, and to portions of two counties in northeastern Georgia and South Carolina.

 

The loan is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Electric Loan Program.