USDA Highlights the Ways Cooperatives Support Trump Administration Priorities in Illinois During National Cooperative Month

This month, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke L. Rollins issued a USDA proclamation to recognize October 2026 as the Department's 62nd anniversary of National Cooperative Month.

"Cooperatives are a powerful engine of economic growth for our nation and central to President Trump's America First agenda to strengthen our economy and empower communities," said Rollins. "Today we celebrate our partnerships with these cooperative organizations and reaffirm our commitment to advancing the vital work they do to create jobs, build local prosperity, support critical infrastructure, and expand opportunity for rural America."

Since the start of the Trump Administration and under the leadership of Secretary Rollins, USDA has invested more than $18.1 billion in loans and grants to support 242 cooperatives to spur economic development, invest in critical electric and broadband infrastructure, and build prosperity through rural cooperatives supported by USDA Rural Development's programs.

"Cooperatives play a vital role in rural communities by strengthening local economies and keeping benefits close to home," said USDA Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega. "The Trump-Vance Administration supports innovative cooperatives that create jobs and deliver essential services across rural America."

In Illinois, USDA Rural Development has supported cooperatives at the local level, partnering with them in Fiscal Year 2026 to invest nearly $40 million in rural communities, including:

USDA's Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program finances the construction of electric facilities and improvements to electric service in rural areas.

• Menard Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Petersburg, Illinois, received $32 million in Electric Program financing to construct 22 miles of new distribution line, connect 272 new consumers, as well as improvements to 202 miles of existing distribution lines.

USDA's Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas.

• Clay Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Flora, received a $141,500 Rural Economic Development Loan to relend funds to Harter Township to purchase a new excavator for the township that will help install culverts and ditches, as well as performing general maintenance on its roads.
• Egyptian Electric Cooperative maintains its headquarters in Murphysboro.
  • The cooperative received a $1.0 million Rural Economic Development Loan to relend funds to the city of Murphysboro for constructing a new municipal complex, which will replace the current city hall built in 1957.
  • The cooperative received a $1.0 million Rural Economic Development Loan to relend the funds to the Monroe County Electric Cooperative to help provide financing for purchasing a former farm equipment dealership for material and equipment storage.
  • The cooperative received a $300,000 Rural Economic Development Loan to help the Degognia Fountain Bluff Levee District install relief wells in Jackson County that will help protect more than 16,000 acres of farmland from flooding.
• Norris Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Newton, received a $1.0 million Rural Economic Development Loan to support construction of Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative's new corporate office in Coles County. The cooperative provides electric utilities to 9,500 residents and businesses.
• Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Dongola, received a $1.0 million Rural Economic Development Loan to relend funds to Arrowleaf for renovation of its existing short-term recuperative housing building. Arrowleaf provides healthcare-related assistance in Southern Illinois.
• Southwestern Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Greenville, received a $998,500 Rural Economic Development Loan to relend funds to G.L. Beaumont Lumber Company. Funds will purchase new and modernized equipment for the lumber company.
• Wabash Telephone Cooperative, headquartered in Louisville, received a $1.0 million Rural Economic Development Loan to relend funds to the city of Effingham. The funds will assist the city's fire department in replacing a 25-year-old fire truck with a new aerial platform fire truck.
• Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative maintains its headquarters in Fairfield.
  • The cooperative received a $460,000 Rural Economic Development Loan to relend funds to the Fairfield Rural Fire Protection District for purchasing a new fire pump truck.
  • The cooperative received a $1.0 million Rural Economic Development Loan to relend funds to Triple Crown Hospitality LLC for construction of a 55-room hotel.

During October, USDA will highlight ways the Department is investing in cooperatives and creating stronger and more resilient communities. Supporting cooperatives strengthens farmer profitability, expands market access, encourages innovation, creates jobs in rural communities, and reinforces the America's role of leadership in agriculture, food production, and farm security.

This year's theme for the month-long celebration is "Built for this Moment," as selected by the National Cooperative Business Association. This theme acknowledges the electric co-ops delivering essential infrastructure to rural America, the food co-ops that support local farmers and agricultural producers, the housing co-ops creating lasting affordability and the worker co-ops preserving local businesses.

USDA Rural Development offers a variety of financial assistance and services to assist rural businesses, including cooperatives and agricultural producers. For more information on cooperatives, visit USDA Rural Development Cooperative Services .

If you'd like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page . Learn more about Rural Development at www.rd.usda.gov/il .