Annual Statistical Report: Rural electrification borrowers

The Annual Statistical Report: Rural electrification borrowers was initiated following the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, a key component of the New Deal designed to bring electrical power to underserved agricultural communities in the United States. Produced by the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), these volumes served as the primary administrative tool for documenting the expansion of power lines and the operational health of the various rural electric cooperatives that had been established with federal loans.

The design of these reports was strictly functional, prioritizing clarity and data integrity to inform Congress and the public of the progress made in rural infrastructure. Compiled by government statisticians, the reports feature detailed tables, grid data, and financial summaries that reflect the era's emphasis on technocratic oversight. While these volumes lack traditional artistic attribution, they are historically significant as primary source documents reflecting the mid-century effort to bridge the technological divide between urban and rural American life.