Area electric cooperatives get grants for ice storm repairs

Two electric cooperatives in Southeast Missouri are receiving federal help to cover some of the cost of recovering from the late January ice storm that cut off power to thousands of customers. The grants, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were announced Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. SEMO Electric Cooperative, with customers in Cape Girardeau, Scott and Stoddard counties, will receive $12.3 million for the cost of repairs. Ozark Border Electric Cooperative, based in Poplar Bluff, will receive $13.7 million to repair its distribution system and $1.05 million to pay for the emergency call center activated during the disaster.