U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced funding for 18 projects totaling over $3 million.
The projects, funded through the Rural Energy for America Program, will help recipient businesses save money by reducing energy costs through energy efficiency upgrades and energy generation systems.
“These clean energy investments will not only help the environment, but they will also help each business’s bottom line,” said Carew. “These investments are just the latest demonstration of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to helping the economy from the middle out and the bottom up.”
Waityn4Jc Mobilization LLC will use a $283,686 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 158.22-kilowatt solar system at a toy store in Anderson County, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $16,311 per year in energy costs and generate 131,371 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 12 homes.
Martin's IGA LLC will use a $124,392 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 126.36-kilowatt solar system at a grocery store in Martin, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $18,902 per year in energy cost and generate 141,274 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power 13.02 homes.
Two Winding Springs LLC will use a $635,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 203.96-kilowatt solar system in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $21,957 per year in energy costs and generate 243,450 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power 22.35 homes.
Taylor Automotive of Benton LLC will use a $374,900 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install two solar systems totaling 84 kilowatts at an automotive dealership in Benton, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $14,742 per year in energy costs and generate 111,428 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 10.23 homes.
ACJ Investments LLC will use a $148,983 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 71.6-kilowatt solar system in Paducah, Kentucky. The project is expected to generate 92,822 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power 8.52 homes.
Bryant Gross will use a $123,552 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 112.3-kilowatt solar system at a poultry operation in Livermore, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $17,049 per year in energy costs and generate 140,966 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 12.9 homes.
Revlett Grain Farm will use a $89,910 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install two solar systems totaling 62.37 kilowatts at a grain farm in Island, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $9,923 per year in energy costs and generate 82,148 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 7.54 homes.
Kelly R. Padgett will use a $337,414 Rural Energy for America Program grant to install a grain dryer and an electric grain transfer system at a grain farm in Vine Grove, Kentucky. This project is expected to save $6,202 per year. This system will save 4,542 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power .41 homes.
Bluegrass Biochar LLC will use a $27,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install an 11.2-kilowatt solar system at a biochar manufacturer in Frenchburg, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $2,115 per year in energy costs and generate 14,660 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power 1.34 homes.
Frank Hinton & Son Inc. will use a $39,975 Rural Energy for America Program grant to make energy efficiency improvements by installing a new heating/ventilation/air-conditioning system and replacing their insulation with newer, more efficient insulation at a farm supply store in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. This project is expected to save $844 per year. This system will save 8,918 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power .82 homes.
Sharon Wolfe Tepsick dba Wild Heart Farm will use a $9,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 2.8-kilowatt solar system in West Liberty, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $366 per year in energy costs and generate 2,877 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power .26 homes.
Red River Gorge Cabin Company LLC will use a $97,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install four solar systems totaling 40.9 kilowatts at a cabin rental company in Stanton, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $4,175 per year in energy costs and generate 36,381 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 3.34 homes.
Lake Cumberland Animal Hospital Inc. will use a $59,204 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 46.8-kilowatt solar system at an animal hospital in Somerset, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $7,127 per year in energy cost and generate 56,165 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power 5.1 homes.
Clear Creek Creative LLC will use a $21,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a six-kilowatt solar system in Disputanta, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $6,103 per year in energy cost and generate 8,070 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately one home.
Minerva Hernandez Co. LLC dba Megawash #2 will use a $421,852 Rural Energy for America Program grant to install 28 dryers and 44 washer-extractors in Shelbyville, Kentucky. This project is expected to save $849 per year. This project will save 42,022 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power 3.86 homes.
Langley Farms LLC will use a $104,521 Rural Energy for America Program grant to install a mixed flow grain dryer at a grain farm in Shelbyville, Kentucky. This project is expected to save $2,542 per year. This system will save 31,066 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power 2.85 homes.
Gallrein Farms Shelby County LLC will use a $111,778 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install two solar systems totaling 95.92 kilowatts at a family-run farm in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The project is expected to save $14,759 per year in energy costs and generate 126,400 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 11.6 homes.
Wade Gilbert will use a $14,802 Rural Energy for America Program grant to install heaters, stir fans and controller upgrades to four poultry houses in Monticello, Kentucky. This project is expected to save $4,827 per year. This system will save 134,880 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power 12.38 homes.
During the Biden-Harris administration, USDA Rural Development has obligated over $3.1 billion to support economic prosperity and quality of life improvements in rural Kentucky. 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ky.