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USDA Assists 12 Rural Kansas Businesses Invest in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects

Name
Jessica Bowser
City
Topeka
Release Date

USDA Rural Development State Director Patty Clark announced that the agency is investing $80,680 in 12 Kansas businesses to install renewable energy systems, or improve energy efficiency through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

 

“USDA’s REAP Program is an important financial tool to assist small businesses and agricultural producers looking to transition to a renewable energy system or to make their business more energy efficient,” said Clark.  “A variety of small businesses can be assisted through the program including grocery stores, manufacturers, dairy farmers, agricultural producers, and main street businesses.   The REAP program can help the businesses reduce their energy consumption and improve their bottom line.”

 

Nationwide, USDA is providing $43.2 million in REAP loan guarantees and $11.6 million in REAP grants in every state.  Through the REAP program, eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems including solar, wind, renewable biomass and geothermal.  Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

 

Kansas small businesses and agricultural producers receiving REAP grants include:

 

Renewable Energy Projects

  • Fowler Farm Inc.
    Emporia, KS
    $9,462 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to purchase and install a solar renewable energy system.

     

  • Harley L. Fuhrman

    Bronson, KS

    $5,687 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to purchase and install a solar renewable energy system.

     

  • JBoone Properties, LLC

    Valley Center, KS

    $9,945 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to purchase and install a solar renewable energy system.

     

  • Moxley Ranch

    Council Grove, KS

    $9,660 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to purchase and install a solar renewable energy system.

     

  • Swart Enterprises, Inc.

    Nemaha County, KS

    $3,736 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to purchase and install a solar renewable energy system.

     

     

     

Energy Efficiency Projects

  • Jerald and Annette Dechant

    Garden City, KS

    $4,568 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements to the irrigation system. 

     

  • Development, Inc.

    Leavenworth, KS

    $8,971 Rural Energy for American Program Grant

    Funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements to the lighting system.

     

  • Dieck’s Inc.

    Clay Center, KS

    $6,822 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements to the lighting system.

     

  • Hildebrand Farms, Inc.

    Junction City, KS

    $3,300 Rural Energy for America Program Grant
    Funds will be used to install energy efficient fans in a free-stall dairy barn.

     

  • Kansa Technology, LLC

    Emporia, KS

    $5,745 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements to the lighting system.

     

  • Kneisley Manufacturing Company

    Iola, KS

    $2,582 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to replace the HVAC unit in a manufacturing facility.

     

  • Zephyr Products, Inc.

    Leavenworth, KS

    $10,202 Rural Energy for America Program Grant

    Funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements to the lighting system.

     

Since 2009 the REAP program has provided more than $373 million in grants and over $480 million in loan guarantees. This funding has helped over 11,000 energy projects which have reduced energy costs for approximately 15,000 rural businesses. These projects are expected to generate and or save close to 9 million megawatt hours – enough to power more than 730,000 homes and cut carbon pollution by an estimated 5 million metric tons. That is the equivalent of taking more than 1.1 million cars off the road yearly.

 

USDA is currently accepting applications for future REAP funding. For information on how to apply for REAP funding and upcoming deadlines, contact a USDA Rural Development Business Program specialist in Kansas:

·         Doug Bruggeman, Hays Office, 785-628-3081, Ext. 435, doug.bruggeman@ks.usda.gov

·         Katie Casper, Iola Office, 620-365-2901, Ext. 427, katie.casper@ks.usda.gov

·         David Kramer, Topeka Office, 785-271-2736, david.kramer@ks.usda.gov

·         Travis Snider, Newton Office, 316-283-0370, Ext. 439, travis.snider@ks.usda.gov

Further information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by calling (785) 271-2700, or by visiting the agency’s website at http://www.rd.usda.gov/ks