Midwest Energy announced in a news release this week it has received a $2 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Loan and Grant program. The funds will be used to increase energy efficiency in the homes of the cooperative’s customer-owners through its award-winning How$mart Program.

The loan, announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, was one of 24 loans and grants totaling $22.5 million announced Tuesday to support job creation efforts, business development and strengthen economic growth in rural communities in nine states.

Midwest Energy’s How$mart Program is unique in that it saves energy, is environmentally friendly, promotes business growth in small communities and saves customers money over several years. How$mart provides low-interest loans to eligible customers for energy-efficiency improvements such as insulation, air sealing and new heating and cooling systems. Participating customers repay the funds through energy savings on their monthly Midwest Energy bills, typically over a term of 10 to 15 years.

“This REDLG loan enables more of our 92,000 members to participate in the How$mart Program,” said Earnie Lehman, president and general manager at Midwest Energy. “This loan represents an affordable way for our customer-owners to save energy, while bringing work to dozens of plumbing, heating and general contractors in our area.”

Since How$mart’s launch in 2008, Midwest Energy has invested more than $6.5 million to help 1,129 customers make improvements to their homes or businesses through the program. The average How$mart participant saves roughly $53 per month on their utility bill while reducing their carbon footprint.

The How$mart Program was recognized with a Community Service Award for Energy Efficiency in 2012 by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, a national service organization for 930 nonprofit rural electric cooperatives and public power districts.