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Krull’s Market Uses USDA’s REAP Funding to Install Energy Efficient Coolers

Name
Tammi Schone
City
Hill City
Release Date

If you are a grocery store owner with energy costs that are making you wince, you may want to consider developing a more energy-efficient system.

Stacia Peters, owner of Krull Foods of HC, Inc. located in Hill City, SD successfully applied for a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant and was awarded 25% of the cost to replace old coolers in her grocery store with new, energy efficient coolers.    

Krull’s Market is a family owned store that offers a convenient one-stop shop where you can find anything you need from the everyday essentials to specialty items from around the world. 

USDA Rural Development State Director Bruce Jones said, “By upgrading their coolers, Krull’s Market is expected to save 55,826 kWh per year which saves enough energy to power five homes for a year.”

Krull’s Market worked with Hetti Cekalla, USDA Rural Specialist, in South Dakota to finalize the application.  The REAP grant can pay for up to 25% of the overall renewable energy system costs.

Rural small businesses, and farmers and ranchers are eligible to apply for REAP. The systems the grant can fund are either for renewable energy systems like solar, hydro and wind power, or for systems that increase energy efficiency-such as variable speed drives for well pumps or new energy efficient lighting, heating or air conditioning systems.

 "A guaranteed loan through REAP is also available for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects," said Jones. "Rural businesses that are considering an upgrade to HVAC systems for example, may be able to save 25% by pursuing a REAP grant/loan combination."

The deadline for 2016 REAP funding is April 30th.

Energy Coordinator Jolene Pravecek will be conducting REAP workshops around the state in the coming months.  If you want to learn more, contact her at the USDA Rural Development Office in Yankton at (605) 655-2662, Ext. 4 or by email at jolene.pravecek@sd.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development has eight offices in the state that assist rural communities.  Office locations include a state office in Huron, along with area offices in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Yankton.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.