U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding loans and grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation.
“Creating opportunity for rural communities means investing in farmers, ranchers, and small businesses,” Secretary Vilsack said. “A key pillar of Bidenomics, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is ensuring our producers and business owners are not only a part of the clean energy economy but are directly benefitting from it. These once-in-a-generation investments in renewable energy, like wind and solar, and energy efficient technologies create new markets and deliver real cost savings for our small and mid-sized agricultural operations and Main Street businesses, building and keeping wealth in rural America.”
USDA is investing $3 million in 30 renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects in Louisiana. The Department is awarding the loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) with funding made possible by the landmark Inflation Reduction Act.
The Department expects to make additional awards in the coming months.
Since December 2022, USDA has made up to $1.3 billion available in REAP funding. Eligible applicants include rural small business owners and agricultural producers.
USDA continues to accept applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes $144.5 million for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
Today’s awards include:
- In Congressional District #1, Pelican Athletic Club is receiving a $359,573 grant to help install a 294.75 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at their gym in Mandeville, Louisiana. This project is expected to save $31,541 annually and replace 394,260 kWh (16 percent), enough energy to power 36 homes.
- In Congressional District #3, The University of Louisiana Lafayette is receiving a $86,459 grant to conduct 20 energy audits for rural small businesses and ag producers throughout Louisiana. The audits will help with determining energy efficiency improvements that will result in savings.
- In Congressional District #5, Little Creek Farms will use a $90,079 grant to help install an energy efficient grain dryer in Mangham, Louisiana. This project is expected to save $18,306 annually and 3.2 kWh (53 percent), enough energy to power one home.
- In Congressional District #6, Murray’s Market will use a $63,320 a grant to upgrade their HVAC at a grocery store in St. Amant, Louisiana. This project is expected to save $3,255.00 per year. It will save 123,307 kilowatt hours (kWh) (19 percent of the company s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 11 homes.
A full list of awards is available online. Today’s announcement is included in a national release in which USDA is investing $266 million to help rural business owners and agricultural producers in 47 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
The Department expects to make additional awards in the coming months.
Since December 2022, USDA has made up to $1.3 billion available in REAP funding. Eligible applicants include rural small business owners and agricultural producers.
USDA continues to accept applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes $144.5 million for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
Background: Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act will boost the long-term resiliency, reliability and affordability of rural electric systems. It will help families save money on utility bills, and it will expand rural opportunities in the clean-energy economy.
Background: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
President Biden forged consensus and compromise between Democrats, Republicans and Independents to demonstrate our democracy can deliver big wins for the American people. After decades of talk on rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure, President Biden delivered the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – a historic investment in America that will change people’s lives for the better and get America moving again.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $65 billion to ensure every American has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment. The legislation also lowers costs for internet service and helps close the digital divide, so that more Americans can take full advantage of the opportunities provided by internet access.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the USDA Rural Development Louisiana State Office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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