LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, October 18, 2024 – Twenty-one rural Arkansas projects were awarded more than $6.6 million in Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants announced in October by USDA Rural Development (RD). The clean energy generated annually by the projects could power the equivalent of 867 homes.
“These investments are building a sustainable clean energy infrastructure to fuel growth in rural Arkansas. Lowering energy costs powers economic expansion and allows farmers and small businesses to reinvest savings in their businesses and communities.,” said RD - Arkansas State Director Jill Floyd. “Affordable energy is vital component in providing a bright future for the families and economies of rural Arkansans.
The REAP grant recipients are:
Startup Junkie Foundation – $250,000 technical assistance grant to provide REAP application help to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in all 75 counties in Arkansas. The foundation will educate potential applicants on how to improve the energy efficiency of their operations, and how to use renewable energy technologies and resources in their operations.
Parker Farm, LLC – $86,250 investment for installation of a 75-kilowatt (kW) solar array for their poultry farm in Omaha, Arkansas. The project is expected to generate 104,044 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually, which is enough electricity to power nine homes.
Mountain Home Lumber, LLC – $223,914 investment for purchase and installation of a 203-kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project is expected to save $12,672 and produce 262,443 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 24 homes.
Whitaker Grain, LLC – $251,136 investment for purchase and installation of a 288-kilowatt (kW) solar array for the family-owned agricultural operation in Dermott, Arkansas. The project is expected to save $38,642 and replace 429,350 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 39 homes.
Keo Fish Farms, Inc. – $751,842 investment for installation of an 856.8-kilowatt (kW) solar array for their fish hatchery in Keo, Arkansas. The project is expected to save $109,995 and replace 1,221,288 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 113 homes.
Dusty Lane Poultry Farm, LLC – $149,818 investment for purchase and installation of a 161-kilowatt (kW) solar array for their poultry operations in Independence County, Arkansas. The project is expected to save $13,180 and generate 219,682 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 20 homes.
South Central Pallets, Inc. – $250,000 investment for purchase and installation of a 207-kilowatt (kW) solar array at their manufacturing facility in Hatfield, Arkansas. The project is expected to save $12,530 and replace 313,258 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 29 homes.
Jared Smith – $144,564 investment for installation of a 168-kilowatt (kW) solar array for his poultry operation in Batesville, Arkansas. The project is expected to save $9,547 and generate 232,736 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 18 homes.
Cornerstone Farm and Gin Company – $99,120 investment for installation of a 112-kilowatt (kW) solar array by Cornerstone Farm and Gin Company. The soybean producer from Gould, Arkansas, will realize a savings of $14,659, generate 162,876 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough to produce enough electricity to power 15 homes.
Cornerstone Farms – $346,920 investment for installation of a 392-kilowatt (kW) solar array in Gould, Arkansas. As a result of this project, Cornerstone Farms, a local rice producer, will realize a savings of $45,204 and generate 565,061 kilowatt hours (kW) annually, enough electricity to power 52 homes.
Zy-Ax Qozb, LLC – $1,000,000 investment for installation of a 1,270-kilowatt solar array. The energy generated by the system will be sold to a local business to power their factory facility located in Manila, Arkansas. This project is expected to generate 1,877,032 kilowatt hours (kWh), which is enough electricity to power 174 homes.
Star Spangled Investments, LLC – $590,969 investment for installation of a 455.74-kilowatt (kW) solar system. The three solar arrays will offset energy used by businesses located in Pocahontas and Brookland, Arkansas and in Rogersville, Missouri. This project is expected to produce 540,432 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough to power 50 homes.
Mountain Top Poultry LLC – $375,000 investment for the purchase and installation of a 299.2-kilowatt (kW) solar array in Floral, Arkansas. The project will save $22,761 per year and produce 538,062 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 49 homes.
G&L'S Rockin’ Rooster Ranch LLC – $187,500 investment for purchase and installation of a 148.5-kilowatt (kW) solar array in Newark, Arkansas. The family-owned poultry producer will realize a savings of $13,218 and replace 264,356 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 24 homes.
Sunny Side Up Poultry LLC – $187,500 investment for purchase and installation of a 148.5-kilowatt (kW) solar array in Newark, Arkansas. The family-owned poultry producer will save of $13,218 and replace 264,366 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 24 homes.
First Natural State Bank – $80,803 investment for purchase and installation of an 80-kilowatt (kW) solar array. The rural bank in McGehee will save $4,807 and generate 107,307 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power nine homes.
Big Dog Boat & RV Storage, LLC – $117,165 investment for installation of a 86.4-kilowatt (kW) solar array for their business in Lowell, Arkansas. This project is expected to save $10,638 and generate 114,605 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually. This is enough electricity to power 10 homes.
R&R Poultry Farms LLC – $82,182 investment for purchase and installation of a 65-kilowatt (kW) solar array for its newly constructed poultry house for free range egg production. The Pocahontas poultry producer’s project will produce 110,900 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 10 homes.
Omaha Ozark View LLC – $187,500 investment for installation of a 156.6-kilowatt (kW) solar array for their campground business in Omaha, Arkansas. This project will save $17,805 and replace 202,141 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 18 homes.
Twin Lakes Farm II – $655,800 investment for purchase and installation of a 655.8-kilowatt (kW) solar array. The Earle-based rice producer will save $112,540, and generate 932,423 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 86 homes.
Saul Minnow Farms, Inc. – $699,821 investment for purchase and installation of a 698.9-kilowatt (kW) solar array for their farm in Des Arc, Arkansas. This project will save $60,958 and replace 1,015,981 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually (100 percent of historic usage), which is enough electricity to power 94 homes.
Through the REAP program, USDA provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These investments will cut energy costs that can instead be used to create jobs and new revenue streams for people in their communities.
Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
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