Projects Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Strengthen American Farms and Rural Small Businesses
Raleigh, North Carolina, July 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program.
“North Carolina is receiving over $127.4 thousand in this round of REAP funding,” said USDA Rural Development North Carolina State Director Reginald Speight. “Today’s announcement delivers on President Biden’s promise to strengthen America’s energy security by increasing access to affordable and reliable renewable energy.”
REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.
In North Carolina:
- Bryson Farms in Randolph County, NC is receiving over $94,300 in grant funding to assist with energy – efficiency improvements to their poultry farm operations. Improvements will include insulation and ventilation and upgrading the heating. This project will save the farm $11.359 per year and will reduce the use of electricity by 53638 kilowatt hours per year also will reduce the propane use by 4260 gallons. Which is enough electricity to power four homes.
- TK Family Farm LLC, Inc. located in Polk County, NC is receiving 12,590 in grant funding to purchase and install a 7.7 kilowatt (kW) solar array on the farming operation. This project will generate 12,087 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year and realize $1,330 of saving per year.
- Red Shed Woodworks and Construction Inc. located in Madison County, NC is receiving $9525 in grant funding to purchase and install a 5.6 kilowatt (kW) solar array. They will realize $726 per year in savings, and will replace 6,789 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. This project will save enough electricity to power one home.
- Bluebird Farm LLC located in Burke County, NC is receiving $10995 in grant funding to purchase and install greenhouse coverings and a walk-in cooler door. They have a farm nursery operation located in Morganton, NC. This project will realize $2,175 per year in savings and will save 17,096 kilowatt hours (kWh) (60 percent) per year
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.2 billion through REAP in 7,566 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. These projects will help rural small businesses and farmers lower energy bills by an average of $25,000 a year, generate new renewable energy income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. The energy generated and saved from these projects would provide enough electricity to power more than 630,000 homes over the course of a year.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and has set aside a portion of the program funds to support underutilized renewable energy technologies, like wind and geothermal power. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
A complete list of all REAP projects nationwide can be found online.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities. The program 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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