Across 9 US States – USDA Announces Funding to Improve Rural Electric Infrastructure in Nine States – Rural Development Acting Deputy Under Secretary Roger Glendenning today announced that USDA is making loans to electric cooperatives that will help continue to deliver safe, reliable and affordable electricity to rural residents, business and institutions in nine states. USDA is making $202 million in loans to upgrade rural electric service in Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas – USDA: Read Project List

Africa – Across Sudan – On Tuesday, February 27, 2017, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), visited Garri Power Station located in Khartoum and discussed the Government of Sudan’s planned power interconnection project that is to boost electricity supply in Sudan by 3,750 MW. The Government is sourcing funds to support phase two of this project, which is thermal. The feasibility study of the project is ongoing. The meeting also highlighted the planned rural electrification program, which aims to install 1.1 million 50- to 200-watt solar home systems during the period 2015-2030. The project is expected to benefit 5.5 million people – AfDB: Read Details

Africa – São Tomé and Príncipe – The European Investment Bank is providing US$13 million in concessional financing and the World Bank is contributing a US$16 million grant to support rehabilitation of the 4-MW Contador hydro project. The project, in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, will be rehabilitated and expanded, along with the respective transmission network and distribution facilities, as a first step toward using more hydroelectric energy and improving the quality of life of about 90,000 beneficiaries, EIB says – HydroWorld: Read Details

Asia – Across Kyrgyzstan – General Procurement Notice – JSC Vostokelectro, an electricity distribution company incorporated in Kyrgyzstan has applied for a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“the Bank’’) toward financing the rehabilitation and modernization of low and medium voltage distribution networks to reduce distribution network losses, increase energy efficiency and improve quality of supply. The proposed project, which has a total estimated cost of about EUR 6.85 Million will require the procurement of the following goods, works and services for — EBRD: Read Details

Asia & Pacific Countries – Infrastructure needs in developing Asia and the Pacific will exceed $22.6 trillion through 2030, or $1.5 trillion per year, if the region is to maintain growth momentum, according to a new flagship report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The estimates rise to over $26 trillion, or $1.7 trillion per year, when climate change mitigation and adaptation costs are incorporated. The 131 page, PDF Report, Meeting Asia’s Infrastructure Needs, focuses on the region’s power, transport, telecommunications, and water and sanitation infrastructure. It comprehensively examines current infrastructure stocks and investments, future investment needs, and financing mechanisms for developing Asia – ADB: Read Details

Canada – Toronto, Ontario – A developer’s plan to build two apartment buildings and three condominium towers along the Hwy. 427 corridor will yield a “record” $4-million in community benefits for the ward, said area Coun. Justin Di Ciano. Etobicoke York community council endorsed city planners’ recommendations and approved Edilcan Development’s nearly 1,500-residential unit application at its Feb. 22 meeting. City planners said the proposal is “appropriate and represents good planning” in a Feb. 2 city staff report – Inside Toronto: Read Details

USA – Bemidji, MN – Bemidji Area Schools leaders unanimously approved two “memorandums of understanding” that outline the school district’s expenses as it works to build a new elementary school and connect it to city utilities. The first “MOU” approved Monday stipulates that the district will pay $1.1 million to cover its share of a $6.2 million roadway improvement project along a segment of Division Street, where Beltrami County staff plan to build a series of roundabouts and where the school district plans to build Gene Dillon Elementary School – The Bemidji Pioneer: Read Details

USA – Bristol & Providence, RI – Rhode Island’s economic development agency has signed off giving more than $9 million in tax breaks to two companies that plan to add jobs as well as a separate construction project. The Providence Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2mFBWCj ) the state Commerce Corporation on Monday approved up to $3.1 million in tax credits for United Natural Foods Inc., which plans to add 150 jobs in Providence by 2020. Agoda Travel Operations plans to create a customer experience center in Providence and add 200 jobs. It stands to receive roughly $4.1 million in tax credits. Nearly $1 million in tax credits and an additional sales tax exemption have been approved for a Bristol construction project. SAT Development, LLC, plans to build 24 apartments and a pizza shop on an empty lot – US News: Read More

USA – Clarksville, TN – South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc said it would spend $250 million to build a new factory in the United States, in a move that comes amid criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump about companies manufacturing abroad for U.S. consumers. LG said its new U.S. plant, an 829,000-square-foot facility to be located near Clarksville, Tennessee, will employ 600 full-time workers and produce washing machines starting in 2019 – Reuters: Read Details

USA – Greene & Columbia Counties, NY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced $32.4 million in funding to support public transportation in rural areas such as Greene and Columbia counties. The program will provide selected applicants up to 80 percent of capital and 50 percent of operating project-related costs and the remaining funds will be provided by the state and project sponsors, according to a statement from Cuomo’s office – The Daily Mail: Read Details

USA – Lincoln, NE – The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is making progress on the goal set by former Chancellor Harvey Perlman to increase student enrollment to 30,000 by 2020. The influx of students will strain the current housing and dining hall infrastructure the university has developed. The most recent advancement on City Campus is the addition of a new $33 million dining hall capable of seating 654 students.  A $37.5 million residence hall is being constructed on East Campus and will provide housing for 374 students – The Daily Nebraskan: Read Details

USA – Sherburne County, MN – Gov. Mark Dayton Tuesday signed a bill allowing Xcel Energy to build a large natural gas-fired power plant in Sherburne County, without having to go the traditional route of gaining approval from Minnesota utilities regulators. Minneapolis-based Xcel, the state’s largest electricity provider, wants to build a 786-megawatt generator in Becker to partly replace power that will be lost when the company shutters its two big coal-fired plants there. – Star Tribune: Read Details