USDA Rural Development Wyoming Acting State Director Lorraine Werner today highlighted two grant awards for a rural small business and agricultural producer in Wyoming to help reduce energy costs.
“Park County and Washakie County are growing and demonstrate great examples of economic development in action,” Werner said. “We’re partnering with businesses that are ready to harness the benefits of energy efficiency, which will lower their energy costs and boost their bottom line to support a healthy economy.”
USDA is providing the grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Congress appropriated $50 million for REAP grants and loan guarantees in fiscal year 2019. Recipients can use REAP funding for energy audits and renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. They also can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration, for example.
Projects awarded in Wyoming include:
River Rest Dubois LLC in Park County will use a $20,0000 grant to purchase and install a roof-mounted solar system which is expected to generate 34,090 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year. The system will reduce energy costs for the family-owned business by about $3,750 annually.
Wyoming Sugar Company, a sugar beet processor in Washakie County is receiving a $91,771 grant to replace and upgrade the control systems for two large steam boilers including fuel, air, and water control systems. This project will result in an estimated savings of 6.5 million kWh annually, valued at $67,000 per year.
USDA announced today it is investing $1 million nationwide in renewable energy projects and will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks.
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 http://www.rd.usda.gov/wy .