Investment to Help 17 Small Businesses and Ag Producers Lower Energy Costs
TOPEKA, Kan., Sept. 22, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $558,552 to make energy efficiency improvements and reduce energy costs for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions in rural Kansas.
“By improving the energy efficiency of farms and businesses, energy expenses are decreased and new opportunities for improvement are created elsewhere,” said Hinrichsen. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural Kansas in building stronger and healthier communities through energy efficiency, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Background:
Conway Springs-Hired Man's Grocery and Grill: A $28,856 grant will be used to purchase and install energy efficient coolers and freezers. The project is estimated to save 68,041 (63.42%) kWh per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.
Sabetha-Gene's Thriftway: An $82,682 grant will be used to purchase and install new energy efficient refrigerators and freezers. The project is estimated to save 346,419 kWh (56%) per year, which is enough energy to power 33 homes.
Coffeyville- Berg ReInvigorations LLC: A $49,072 grant will be used to purchase and install energy efficient lighting, garage doors, sawmill and handling components used to responsibly harvest and processes regional hardwoods from Oklahoma and Kansas. The project is estimated to save 176,135 kWh (65.78%) per year, which is enough energy to power 16 homes.
Emporia- Reeble's Country Mart and Good's Cash Saver grocery stores. A $60,766 grant will be used to purchase and install energy efficient coolers and freezers. The project is estimated to save 298,810 (40.99%) kWh per year, which is enough energy to power 28 homes.
Additional projects will also be funded in:
Arkansas City
Barton
Caldwell
Coldwell
Ft. Scott
Humboldt
Inman
Lincoln
McPherson
Mound Ridge
Newton
Pratt
USDA is investing in 17 rural small businesses and ag producers through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants and Guaranteed Loans. Investments can used for renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. REAP funding can also be used for energy audits and to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems, insulation, lighting and refrigeration.
Interested parties should contact their local Kansas area office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee to learn more about how the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program will be streamlined under the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative beginning October 1, 2020.
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/ks.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
# # #