The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers selected the firms for multiple award task order contracts with a five-year order period.

Loans will go to rural electric utilities and co-ops to expand electric grid infrastructure and beef up security, said USDA.

Shots damaged two Duke Energy substations in Moore County and knocked out power to estimated 45,000 customers, as search for perpetrator mounts and utility estimates days to fully restore service.

When Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico Sept. 18, it further damaged an electrical grid still recovering from 2017's Hurricane Maria, and years of subpar operation and maintenance. 

All nine transmission lines that deliver power to the Lake Charles, La., area were knocked out of service during the hurricane.