RICHMOND, Va., January 10, 2025 – Seven Virginia farms and small businesses are included in a nearly $180 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investment to expand access to clean energy systems and increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 42 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The following enterprises are receiving $1.13 million in total funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which provides grants and loans to help agricultural producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements:
- In Farmville, Pleasant Valley Meats LLC will use a $174,400 grant to install a 134.83-kilowatt (kW) ground mount photovoltaic system that will produce 175,431 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, offsetting about 100 percent of the operation's annual electric usage and saving the family-owned business about $22,630 per year.
- In Albemarle, Vintage Virginia Apples LLC will use a $85,293 grant to install a 94.77-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array that will generate about 132,023 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, off-setting approximately 95 percent of energy usage for winery and orchard operations. (The female and family-owned business is also a past Value-Added Producer Grant recipient.)
- In Gladys, Good Job Construction Company will use a $25,485 grant to install a 27.16-kilowatt (kW) roof photovoltaic system on a workshop at Good's Garden Sheds, which manufactures vinyl and painted storage buildings for sale in Lynchburg. The solar array should produce 35,813 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which will save the company about $4,222 annually by offsetting approximately 108 percent of current electrical usage.
- In Churchville, Mira Patel will use a $105,300 grant to install a 93.81-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted photovoltaic system on a community grocery store. The 159 solar panels in the system are expected to produce 122,728 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which will save the company about $8,057 annually and generate enough energy to offset approximately 95 percent of current electrical usage.
- In Spotsylvania, Kartoudi Enterprises will use a $306,570 grant to install a 235.985-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted photovoltaic system at the 208 Variety Store. The 433 solar panels in the system are expected to generate about 267,789 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which will save the company about $28,118 annually and generate enough energy to offset approximately 100 percent of current electrical usage.
- In Staunton, Charles Schooley will use a $75,779 grant to install a 61.04-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic system on his family farm. The 112 solar panels are expected to produce around 83,085 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, generating enough energy to help this agricultural operation offset approximately 130 percent of current electrical usage for poultry production.
- In Winchester, Melnor Inc. will use a $367,000 grant to install a 358.9-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic system on two company-owned properties. The 740 solar panels will generate 442,474 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, offsetting about 100 percent of current energy usage and saving the business approximately $39,513 per year.
“We are pleased to partner with these small businesses and agricultural enterprises to help them lower energy costs and expand local market opportunities,” said Perry Hickman, USDA Rural Development Virginia State Director. “The investments announced today will not only increase the resiliency of these operations but also allow them to invest back into their communities.”
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement included 586 projects awarded through REAP and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) with funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.
REAP is a part of the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $3 billion for 11,221 projects through REAP and more than $323 million in 399 awards through HBIIP increase the availability of domestic biofuels across the country.
The investments announced today through REAP will also benefit farmers, small business owners, entrepreneurs and community organizations in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin online.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.