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USDA Helps Rural Businesses Make Energy Efficiency Improvements, Adopt Renewable Energy Systems

Name
Melissa Roma
City
Harrisburg
Release Date

USDA Helps Rural Businesses Make Energy Efficiency Improvements, Adopt Renewable Energy Systems
 

Investments in Pennsylvania will Help 22 Businesses Boost Their Bottom Line

   Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 10, 2019Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $237 million to help farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses lower energy costs. In Pennsylvania, State Director Curt Coccodrilli today announced $757,000 being invested in 22 projects.  USDA is providing the funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

   “Developing renewable energy presents an enormous opportunity to create jobs and help America become more energy independent” Coccodrilli said. “USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural businesses, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

   Recipients can use REAP funding for energy audits and to install renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. The funding can also be used to increase energy efficiency by making improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration.

   Here are the projects that Pennsylvania is funding:

 

Basehore, Tom

 $16,812

Installing a Solar Array System

Brubaker, Randy

 $70,000

Installing a Solar Array System

Burkholder, Gary

 $31,235

Installing a Solar Array System

Gate 7, LLC

 $31,500

Installing a Solar Array System

Hazeltine, Timothy P

 $11,754

Upgrade Reverse Osmosis System

Herr, Gregory Mr

 $32,500

Installing a Solar Array System

Hile, Daniel A

 $14,904

Installing a Solar Array System

Irion Lumber Company

 $32,422

Installing a Solar Array System

Kuleck's Little Red Barn Farm

 $15,125

Installing a Solar Array System

Lauver, John

 $27,628

Installing a Solar Array System

Lyon's & Hohl, Inc

 $37,500

Installing a Solar Array System

Mama's Cookies LLC

 $15,462

Installing a Solar Array System

Maust, Dennis

 $5,505

Installing a Solar Array System

Meabon Farms

 $23,616

Upgrading Grain Dryer

Metal Litho And Laminating, LLC

 $55,359

Upgrade Equipment

Stoner, Loren

 $31,250

Installing a Solar Array System

Von Oechsler Farm LLC

 $9,997

Installing a Solar Array System

W & W Ag, LLC

 $43,765

Upgrading Grain Dryer

Werner Acres

 $122,701

Installing a Solar Array System

Wolgemuth's Fairview Farm

 $50,128

Upgrading Grain Dryer

Wolgemuth's Fairview Farm

 $41,250

Installing a Solar Array System

Zimmerman Farms

 $36,587

Installing a Solar Array System

 

   In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.

   To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

   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 www.rd.usda.gov.

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