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Rural Development Celebrates Earth Day in Central City

Name
Vicki Schurman
City
Central City
Release Date

USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul and Central City residents celebrated today, in honor of Earth Day 2016, with a presentation at the Venture Center in Central City, Nebraska followed by a tour of a ‘solar garden’.

”It is a real honor to be here today to see first hand how USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) dollars have helped Central City use solar gardens and save on energy use,” said Moul. “The theme for Earth Day 2016 is ‘Our Land. Our Water. Our Future: Let’s Preserve Them.’  This is an excellent example of how our REAP program can help businesses with renewable energy.”

Plaque presentations and a tour included three businesses, Central City Scale, Inc., D Bar K, P.C. and Mesner Development Company, that used $56,250 in USDA Rural Energy for America Program dollars, leveraged by $168,750 from those businesses. The photo voltaic solar systems replaced the business buildings’ existing energy source.  There is an expected annual dollar value of generated energy of  $12,831 for the three businesses, which will allow them to utilize those allocated funds for other day-to-day operations.

The “solar garden” includes eight 25kW solar arrays.  The entire solar garden will produce a total of 292,000 kWh annually -- enough energy to power 24 homes or power electric vehicles more than 900,000 miles per year. 

Cliff Mesner from Mesner Development Co. said, “It was the use of the USDA REAP grant that really made the economics obvious.  With the use of the REAP grant and the recently extended federal credits, businesses get their money back very quickly.”

John Hay, Nebraska Extension educator for energy, held a hands-on event for fourth graders at the Central City Public Schools, with solar powered model cars.  USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator Jeff Carpenter participated in the school event.

For additional information visit www.rd.usda.gov/ne to learn more about programs offered by Rural Development.  To view a list of Nebraska contact information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices/ne.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.  USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.