DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 19, 2020 – The Trump Administration, along with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Iowa Grant Menke, today announced that the USDA is awarding a total of $250,000 in grants to rural Iowa farmers, ag producers, small businesses and institutions.
“By investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency through the REAP program, USDA Rural Development helps boost the bottom lines of rural small businesses and agricultural producers,” said Menke. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural businesses and farmers to increase productivity and prosperity, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
USDA is investing in the renewable energy and energy efficiency project in Iowa through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Recipients can use REAP funding for a variety of needs, such as conducting energy audits, installing renewable energy systems, and to make energy efficiency improvements. Below is the award given:
· Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, located in Council Bluffs, Ia., will use a $250,000 grant for the purchase and installation of a Dryer Exhaust Energy Recovery (DEER) system to capture exhaust energy from the distillers grains dryers and use this energy to produce steam used in front-end operations. Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC, will realize $6,650,000 per year in savings, and will replace 111,850,578 kWh per year. This project will save enough electricity to power 11,172 homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.
Background:
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 rd.usda.gov/ia or call (515) 284-4663.
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