USDA Rural Development State Director Patty Clark today announced that USDA is awarding seven grants to help Kansas rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy usage and costs in their operations. Funding will go towards energy efficiency improvements and/or renewable energy systems.
Funding for today’s announcement is awarded through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). USDA reminds eligible applicants that set-aside funding is available for grant requests less than $20,000 and may offer priority scoring for projects located in underserved areas and/or benefiting underserved populations. REAP grant applications are accepted year round, but the upcoming REAP grant funding cycle has a deadline of May 2, 2016.
“Rural Kansas businesses and agricultural producers are looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption, and USDA Rural Development can help them make that transition to a more energy efficient system,” said Clark. “In the past five years, USDA’s REAP program has assisted more than 90 small business owners and agricultural producers in Kansas, ranging from dairy farmers to main street businesses, to either save energy or create it.”
Kansas small businesses and agricultural producers received grants totaling $45,604 through the REAP program include:
Small Business REAP Grants
- Niece Products of Kansas, Inc.
Fort Scott, Kan.
$7,272 REAP Grant
Funds will be used to replace diesel powered heaters with more efficient natural gas powered heaters in the manufacturing facility.
- Smith Monuments, Inc.
Stockton, Kan.
$4,074 REAP Grant
Funds will be used to replace existing windows, doors, and a gas furnace, as well as adding wall insulation at the facility.
Agricultural Producer REAP Grants
- Donald O. and Arthena H. Brubaker Trust
Sawyer, Kan.
$7,188 REAP Grant
Funds will be used to make irrigation well improvements including the conversion of a diesel engine to an electric motor, modified pumping plant, and variable frequency drive.
- Franz Farms, LLC
Buhler, Kan
$7,994 REAP Grant
Funds will be used to make irrigation well improvements including conversion of a diesel engine to an electric motor, pump improvements, and variable frequency drive.
- Jason Wiebe
Durham, Kan.
$2,771 REAP Grant
Funds will be used to replace existing lighting in a free-stall dairy barn with LED light fixtures.
- John and Roberta Ney
Dodge City, Kan.
$7,812 REAP Grant
Funds will be used to make irrigation well improvements including new submersible pumps and variable frequency drive.
- Norman and Pearl Ensz Family Trust
Inman, Kan.
$8,493 REAP Grant
Funds will be used to make irrigation well improvements including the conversion of a diesel engine to an electric motor, pump improvements, and variable frequency drive.
The REAP program offers both grants and loan guarantees to eligible applicants. USDA is offering grants for up to 25 percent of a project’s eligible costs and loan guarantees for up to 75 percent of eligible project costs for energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy systems.
Energy efficiency projects that help reduce the business or farm’s energy usage may apply for a REAP grant. Prior REAP funded projects in Kansas include: upgrading coolers and freezers in grocery stores; upgrading lighting, adding insulation; replacing windows and doors or replacing heating, ventilation and cooling units; installing variable frequency drives on electric irrigation motors; and upgrading grain dryers.
REAP renewable energy project funding can be used for energy replacement or energy generated, and can include projects such as: solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, biomass facilities and wind turbines.
Additional information on the REAP program and application forms can be found on the agency’s website: www.rd.usda.gov/ks
For more information on how to apply for REAP financing in Kansas, contact a USDA Rural Development Business Program Specialist below.
- Doug Bruggeman, Hays Area Office, 785-628-3081, Ext. 435, doug.bruggeman@ks.usda.gov
- Katie Casper, Iola Area Office, 620-365-2901, Ext. 427, katie.casper@ks.usda.gov
- Travis Snider, Newton Area Office 316-283-0370, Ext. 439 travis.snider@ks.usda.gov
- David Kramer, Topeka State Office, 785-271-2736, david.kramer@ks.usda.gov