Trump Administration Invests $1.4 Million in Georgia for Solar and Energy Efficiency Projects
Grants will Assist 41 Ag Producers and Rural Businesses
ATHENS, Ga., Aug. 19, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $1,484,644 to improve energy efficiencies and grow renewable resources in rural Georgia.
“This program helps businesses and farmers save on their bottom line.” said USDA Rural Development State Director Joyce White, “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Georgia in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Funding for the projects announced today comes from Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Funds may be used to pay up to 25% of the project cost for renewable energy systems or the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements.
This Fiscal Year in Georgia, $1,484,644 was invested in these projects; of that total, 78% of funding was for solar energy systems. Georgia Rural Development’s full list of REAP recipients in FY2020 is shown on the attached Table. 1. Some examples of energy efficiency improvements projects follow:
In Dodge county, Curtis Davis Family Farm will use a $19,956 grant toward the replacement of a diesel motor to an electric motor for irrigation.
In Bulloch county, the Claude Howard Lumber Company will use a $59,778 grant toward the purchase and installation of a LED lighting system throughout the business lumber yard.
In Jackson county, Cantrell Forest Products, Inc. will use $122,208 grant toward the purchase of a drum chipper. This chipper is projected to generate 60,000 tons per year of wood chips.
For more information about REAP in Georgia, contact Joseph Anderson, Energy Coordinator at (706) 552-2560 or email joseph.anderson@usda.gov .
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/ga
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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Table 1: Rural Development REAP Grants Awarded Fiscal Year 2020 - Georgia|
State/County |
Borrower |
Grant Amount |
Description |
|
GA/Appling |
EASON, ROGER DAVID |
$32,500.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 67.5 KW solar energy replacement system in Appling County, Georgia. David Eason operates a small family farm of row crops in Surrency, GA. This project will replace 108,582 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power ten homes, and will realize $11,944 in savings per year. |
|
GA/Banks |
TACTO FAMILY FARMS LLC |
$30,975.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural mall businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Tacto Family Farms LLC is a poultry farm in Banks County, Georgia. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 58.8 kW solar array. This project will realize $8,334 per year in savings and will replace 91,270 kWh per year, enough to power eight homes. |
|
GA/Barrow |
CANTSINK MANUFACTURING II, LLC |
$124,456.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Cantsink Manufacturing II, Inc, is a construction company in Barrow County, Georgia. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 158 kW solar array. This project will realize $29,323 per year in savings and will replace 181,120 kWh per year, enough to power 16 homes. |
|
GA/Bulloch |
CLAUDE HOWARD LUMBER COMPANY, INC. |
$59,778.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase and install LED lighting throughout the business lumber yard. This project will save the company $57,177 per year and will replace 903,508 kWh (4%) per year, which is enough electricity to power 83 homes. |
|
GA/Candler |
TRAPNELL-TOMLINSON COMPANY |
$19,250.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 28kW solar array on the property of Trapnell-Tomlinson Company at 212 East Broad St., Metter, Candler County, Georgia. This project will replace 43,720 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power four homes, and will realize $7,084 of savings per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Decatur |
CHARLES A. MCCANN |
$33,750.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 60 KW solar energy replacement system in Decatur County, Georgia. Charles A. McCann operates a small to medium family farm specializing in poultry production in Bainbridge, GA. This project will replace 97,388 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power nine homes, and will realize $11,609 in savings per year. |
|
GA/Decatur |
BARBER, JEFFERY L |
$47,250.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 90 KW solar energy replacement system in Decatur County, Georgia. Jeffery L. Barber operates a small family farm of chicken/poultry houses in Brinson, GA. This project will replace 147,598 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power thirteen homes, and will realize $16,235 in savings per year. |
|
GA/Dodge |
SANDERS, LARRY J |
$6,557.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to make energy efficiency improvements with the replacement of a diesel to electric irrigation motor. Larry J. Sanders operates a medium family owned farm specializing in row crops. This project will realize $9,975 per year in savings and will save the equivalent of 212,494 kWh of electricity per year (92.26%) which is enough electricity to power nineteen homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Dodge |
CURTIS DAVIS FAMILY FARM, LLC |
$19,956.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to make energy efficiency improvements with the replacement of a diesel to electric irrigation motor. Curtis Davis Family Farm LLC is a medium family owned farm specializing in row crops. This project will realize $12,552 per year in savings and will save the equivalent of 229,982 kWh of electricity per year (96%) which is enough electricity to power twenty-one homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Franklin |
MITCHELL, ALAN DAVID |
$53,890.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase and install new roll seal end doors, new fiberglass wall insulation, fiberglass ceiling insulation, new radiant brooders, new tunnel doors, new LED lighting with a computerized energy-control system. This project will save the farm $18,104 per year and will replace 172,335 kWh (31.83%) per year, which is enough electricity to power 15 homes. |
|
GA/Glynn |
EXIT SIX MINI STORAGE, INC. |
$12,500.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 20kW solar array on the property of Exit Six Mini Storage Inc., at 260 South Port Parkway, Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia. This project will replace 30,629 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes, and will realize $2,098 of savings per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Glynn |
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA VETERINARY CLINIC |
$21,600.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 37.23kW solar array in Glynn County, Georgia. Southeast Georgia Veterinary Clinic is an S-Corporation small business Animal Veterinary Office. This project will replace 50,332 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power four homes, and will realize $6,545 of savings per year. |
|
GA/Grady |
SOUTHEAST QUALITY PROPANE, LLC |
$20,000.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 15.12 kW solar array on the business of Southeast Quality Propane, LLC. This project will generate 30,490 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes, and will realize $5,150 of income per year. |
|
GA/Hart |
MARTIN DAIRY, LLP |
$86,758.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Martin Dairy LLP is a dairy farm in Hart County, Georgia. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 157.1 kW solar array. This project will realize $27,083 per year in savings and will replace 244,432 kWh per year, enough to power 22 homes. |
|
GA/Jackson |
CANTRELL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC |
$122,208.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase a new Bandit Model 2590 drum chipper. This chipper is projected to generate 60,000 tons per year of wood chips, which will realize $398,524 in net income, and will produce 150,000 mWh per year, enough to power 13,888 homes. |
|
GA/Jeff Davis |
ATKINS FARMS |
$22,500.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 40kW solar array in Jeff Davis County, Georgia. Atkins Farms is a small family farm in poultry production. This project will replace 55,914 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power five homes, and will realize $6,146 of savings per year. |
|
GA/Lamar |
THOMAS A & GLENDA R HADDOCK LLC |
$111,725.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Thomas A Haddock & Glenda R Haddock LLC is a poultry farm in Lamar County, Georgia. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 218 kW solar array. This project will realize $26,252 per year in savings and will replace 353,838 kWh per year, enough to power 32 homes. |
|
GA/Macon |
YODER, ANDREW |
$87,675.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 167 KW solar energy replacement system in Macon County, Georgia. Andrew Yoder operates a small family farm of poultry production in Montezuma, GA. This project consists of two different addresses in the same county. This project will replace 267,755 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power twenty-four homes, and will realize $27,868 in savings per year. |
|
GA/Madison |
3 PORCH FARM INC. |
$5,522.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 13.23 KW solar energy generation system for 3 Porch Farms in Madison County, Georgia. This project will replace 18,484 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power one home, and will realize $1,808 in savings per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Madison |
HALL, FREDERICK |
$20,000.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 77kW solar energy replacement system in Danielsville, Georgia. This project will replace 191,500 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 17 homes, and will realize $8,229 in savings per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/McDuffie |
TWO STATE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC |
$49,662.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase and install a 96.36 kW solar array. This project will realize $17,221 per year in savings and will replace 143,508 kWh per year. enough to power 13 homes. |
|
GA/Mitchell |
COVEYRISE PLANTATION, INC. |
$19,800.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 32.9 kW solar array on the CoveyRise Plantation 3929 River Rd., Camilla Mitchell County, Georgia. This project will replace 53,530 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power five homes, and will realize $6,424 of savings per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Pierce |
BRANDON LIGHTSEY FARMS, LLC |
$47,500.00 |
The purpose of this funding program is to purchase and install an 80 KW solar energy replacement system in Pierce County, Georgia. Brandon Lightsey Farms, LLC is a small family farm of poultry production in Bristol, GA. This project will replace 162,218 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power fifteen homes, and will realize $16,221 in savings per year. |
|
GA/Spalding |
S&T GREEN GATE FARM LLC |
$30,800.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. S&T Green Gate Farm LLC is a poultry farm. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 56.24 kW solar array. This project will realize $8,786 per year in savings and will replace 87,359 kWh per year, enough to power eight homes. |
|
GA/Sumter |
CLIENT FIRST INSURANCE SOLUTIONS, LLC |
$12,006.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 14.15kW solar array on the property of Client First Insurance Solutions, LLC. Client First Insurance Solutions, LLC is a small business insurance services company. This project will replace 13,060 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power one home, and will realize $1,631 of savings per year. |
|
GA/Tattnall |
BOYETT FARMS INC. |
$9,250.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 21kW solar array on the property of Boyette Farms, Inc. at 171 Lazy K. Lane Reidsville, Tattnall County, Georgia. This project will replace 33,101 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes, and will realize $3,642 of savings per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Tattnall |
HILLIARD, BENJAMIN |
$30,000.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 78 KW solar energy replacement system in Tattnall County, Georgia. Benjamin Hilliard operates a small family farm of poultry production in Glennville, GA. This project will replace 101,057 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power nine homes, and will realize $11,116 in savings per year. |
|
GA/Tattnall |
FENNELL FARMS, LLC |
$22,000.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 40kW solar array in Tattnall County, Georgia. Fennell Farms, LLC is a small family farm in poultry production. This project will replace 62,734 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power five homes, and will realize $9,410 of savings per year. |
|
GA/Tattnall |
ABUNDANT GRACE FARM, LLC |
$22,000.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 45 KW solar energy replacement system in Tattnall County, Georgia. Abundant Grace Farm, LLC is a small family farm of poultry production in Reidsville, GA. This project will replace 67,620 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes, and will realize $7,101 in savings per year. |
|
GA/Terrell |
RAINEY FINANCE, INC. |
$9,728.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of LED lighting throughout the interior of the business. This project will realize $16,140 per year in savings and will replace 28,813 kWh (19%) per year, which is enough electricity to power 2 homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Terrell |
5DOWN AUTO SALES, INC. |
$20,000.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of LED lighting throughout the interior of the business. This project will realize $24,656 per year in savings and will replace 145,011 kWh (77%) per year, which is enough electricity to power 13 homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Thomas |
WILLIAMS LAND HOLDINGS, INC. |
$15,324.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 7.56 kW solar array on the small business of Williams Land Holdings, Inc.. This project will generate 15,326 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power one home, and will realize $2,528 of income per year. |
|
GA/Toombs |
MANNING POULTRY, LLC |
$11,250.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 20 KW solar array for two broiler poultry houses. Manning Poultry, LLC is a newly formed (2018) beginning farmer, family owned farm. This project will generate 36,801 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes, and will realize $4,417 of income per year. |
|
GA/Towns |
BREWBERRY FARMS LLC |
$6,100.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, and make energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Brewberry Farms LLC is a berry farm in Towns County, Georgia. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 9.92 kW solar array. This project will realize $1,629 per year of income and will generate 18,104 kWh per year, enough to power one home. |
|
GA/Turner |
ASHBURN SOLAR, LLC |
$106,250.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 340 KW solar energy generation system in Turner County, Georgia. Ashburn Solar, LLC is a small business with emphasis on solar power generation. This project will generate 599,662 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 55 homes, and will realize $68,961 in income per year. |
|
GA/Union |
BOUDREAU, LYNNAE |
$7,375.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 9.92 kW solar array on Sigma Farm. This project will generate 14,797 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power one home, and will realize $1,331 of income per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Union |
LESTER & LESTER ENTERPRISES, LLC |
$4,650.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 9.92 kW solar array on the business property of Lester & Lester Enterprises, LLC (Mountain Top Furniture). This project will generate 19,856 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power one home, and will realize $1,607 of income per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Wayne |
MARK D. BYRON, MD, PC |
$9,187.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 15.33kW solar array in Wayne County, Georgia. This project will replace 21,989 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes, and will realize $2,639 of savings per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Wayne |
NESMITH CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF JESUP INC |
$10,473.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of LED lighting throughout the car lot. This project will realize $11,130 per year in savings, and will replace 110,203 kWh (26%) per year, which is enough electricity to power 10 homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. |
|
GA/Wayne |
WOLFE ANIMAL HOSPITAL |
$26,875.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 43kW solar array in Wayne County, Georgia. Wolfe Animal Hospital is an S-Corporation small business Animal Veterinary Office. This project will replace 64,246 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes, and will realize $6,425 of savings per year. |
|
GA/Wayne |
CROSSROADS BROILERS, INC. |
$21,500.00 |
This Rural Development investment will be used for the purchase and installation of a 45 KW solar energy replacement system in Wayne County, Georgia. Crossroads Broilers, Inc. is a small business that operates a chicken production broiler operation in Jesup, GA. This project will replace 71,080 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes, and will realize $7,463 in savings per year. |