ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 14, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Colleen Landkamer today announced that USDA is investing over $15 million to fund new projects in Minnesota that will lower costs, expand access to clean energy and strengthen farms and small businesses. USDA is making the investments through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a program that has seen record demand in response to historic funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.
“USDA is ensuring farmers, small business owners and rural communities have the resources they need for the future,” State Director Landkamer said. “These investments will help rural Minnesota lead our country toward an economy that benefits working people everywhere with lower costs and clean energy jobs.”
Most of the projects being announced today are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis.
Today’s REAP awards in Minnesota may be found online and include these examples:
- Wertish Bros Partnership in Olivia is using a grant of more than $373,000 to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the farm over $12,000 in annual electrical costs and will replace over 164,000 kilowatt hours (60 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 15 homes.
- Preston Dairy and Farm Association in Preston is using a grant of more than $104,000 to purchase and install a 85-kilowatt solar array. This project is expected to save the farm over $28,000 in annual electrical costs and will replace over 113,000 kilowatt hours (103 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 10 homes.
- Jack’s of Cokato Inc. in Cokato is using a grant of more than $95,000 to purchase and install an 80-kilowatt solar array. This project is expected to save the convenience store and gas station over $36,000 in annual electrical costs and will replace over 115,000 kilowatt hours (36 percent of the business’ energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 11 homes.
- Pheasant Farms LLP in Pipestone is using a grant of $66,000 to purchase and install heat mats for the farm’s hog farrowing crates. This project is expected to save the farm over $12,000 in annual electrical costs and will replace over 180,000 kilowatt hours (42 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 17 homes.
- Particle Control Inc. in Albertville is using a grant of more than $266,325 to purchase and install a 276-kilowatt solar array. This project is expected to save the toll milling and grind business over $77,000 in annual electrical costs and will replace 315,400 kilowatt hours (69 percent of the business’ energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 29 homes.
- Gagnon Construction & Landscaping Inc. in Isanti is using a grant of more than $78,000 to purchase and install a 59.5 kilowatt solar array. This project is expected to save the construction and landscaping business over $7,000 in annual electrical costs and will replace over 71,000 kilowatt hours (99 percent of the business’ energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power seven homes.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.7 billion through REAP in 9,901 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Almost 7,000 of these projects were funded by over $1 billion provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Background
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.
This is the final REAP funding availability from the Inflation Reduction Act. USDA is accepting applications in this first round through two windows. The deadlines to apply are Dec. 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
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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