Investments Will Make Rural Communities More Energy Independent and Resilient
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 08, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director for Indiana Curtis Johnson today announced $1.5 million in investments to reduce the impacts of climate change (XLSX, 17.24 KB) on rural Indiana communities.
“The opportunity for rural small businesses and ag producers to affordably implement renewable energy and energy efficient infrastructure not only impacts their bottom line, but also influences the impact rural communities have on climate change,” Johnson said. “By reducing energy costs and aiding rural America with implementing modern infrastructure, we can help to create new opportunities for good-paying jobs and make rural communities more resilient long-term.”
Background:
Through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), these investments will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Below are a few examples of the 34 ag producers and rural small businesses receiving awards in Indiana.
- Egg Innovations, LLC, an egg supplier and processor, is receiving a $30,900 grant to purchase and install LED lighting throughout their facility. This investment will help to save $25,700 in electricity costs per year for the store and replace 257,271 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 19 homes.
- Impact CNC, LLC is receiving a $125,000 grant to purchase and install a combined heat and power system for their rural small CNC machinery business. This investment will help to save the business nearly $117,000 per year in electrical costs and replace more than 746,000 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 57 homes.
- American Eagle 5, LLC is receiving a $37,033 grant to purchase and install a 40-kW solar array for their hotel. This investment will help to save the hotel nearly $68,000 in electrical costs per year and replace 216,500 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 16 homes.
- Gudeman Partners, a grain ag producer, is receiving a $17,485 grant to replace tractor driven grain equipment that is beyond useful life. This investment will help save the farm $8,300 in electrical costs per year and replace 256,000 kWh, which is enough electricity to power 19 homes.
- Kim Carlisle, owner of rural small business Corner Grove Antiques, is receiving a $6,400 grant to purchase and install a 10 kW solar array. This investment will help the business save nearly $2,000 in electrical costs per year and replace 98 percent of the electricity used by the business each year.
- JC Newcom Farms, LLC is receiving a nearly $50,000 grant to purchase and install a grain dryer. This investment will help the farm save $37,000 in electrical costs per year and replace 2.2 billion British Thermal Units (BTUs), which is enough electricity to power 49 homes.
Today’s projects are in coordination with the recent announcement made by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to highlight 793 investments, totaling $633 million (PDF, 394 KB) that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Electric Loan Program, Rural Energy Savings Program, and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
The funding will help people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure and social service needs.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/IN. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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