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USDA Invests $19 Million in Critical Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change Across North Carolina

Name
Robert Kerns
City
Raleigh
Release Date

19 Projects Will Help People in Socially Vulnerable Communities

RALEIGH, N.C., August 24, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh today announced USDA is investing $19 million in critical infrastructure to combat climate change across rural North Carolina.

“Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” Bronaugh said. “The Biden-Harris Administration has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure. The investments we’re announcing today and those that will be made possible by historic funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will strengthen our energy security, create good-paying jobs and save Americans money on their energy costs.”

The investments will help state and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Tribes construct, renovate or purchase and install equipment for essential community facilities for public use in rural areas.

They also will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems as well as make energy efficiency improvements. The investments will also help with energy audits, renewable energy technical assistance, and renewable energy site assessments.

Examples include:

  • In Alamance County, Sainsbury Farm LLC will use a $4,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 5.84 kilowatt solar array for the farming operation. This project will generate 7,907 kilowatt hours and realize $1,217 of saving per year. 
  • In Alamance County, 10FSS I-85 LLC will use $20,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 40.17 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 54,886 kilowatt hours and realize $6,131 of saving per year. 
  • In Buncombe County, Cane Creek Asparagus & Company will use a $13,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant to purchase and install a 5.94 kilowatt solar array This project will generate 8,820 kilowatt hours and realize $670 of saving per year.  
  • In Buncombe County, Black Trumpet LLC will use a $7,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for purchase and installation of a 14 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 17,950 kilowatt hours and realize $2,019 of saving per year. 
  • In Carteret County, East Hardwood Company Inc, will use a $20,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 73.8 kilowatt solar array. This project will realize $8,082 in savings and will replace 111,624 kilowatt hours per year.  This project will save enough electricity to power 10 homes.
  • In Cherokee County, Ferncrest Enterprises LLC, will use a $8,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 6.6 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 8,636 kilowatt hours and realize $786 of saving per year.
  • In Cherokee County, Murphy Auto Parts Inc. will use a $16,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 29.2 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 39,968 kilowatt hours realize $5,355 of savings per year.
  • In Cherokee County, Aegis Power Systems will use a $9,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 16.1 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 21,921 kilowatt hours and realize $2,937 of saving per year. 
  • In Cherokee County, Legacy Land Holdings LLC will use a $11,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 19.2 kilowatt solar array. This project will realize $3,449 in savings, and will generate 26,136 kilowatt hours per year.
  • In Columbus County, Arthur 2 Solar LLC will use a $6,000,000 Rural Energy for America Program Loan for the purchase and installation of a 6.50 megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 12,000.000 kWh in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 1,115 homes.
  • In Columbus County, Beckwith Solar LLC will use a $6,000,000 Rural Energy for America Program Loan for the purchase and installation of a 6.56 megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 12,096,000 kWh in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 1,102 homes.
  • In Henderson County, Rachel R. Tankersley will use a $10,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 16 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 23,444 kilowatt hours and realize $1,979 of saving per year. 
  • In Lincoln County, Luke Properties LLC will use a $17,500 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 29.16 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 48,934 kilowatt hours and realize $4,942 of saving per year.
  • In Macon County, Rainbow Springs Campground LLC will use a $12,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 26.52 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 33,069 kilowatt hours and realize $3,372 of saving per year.  
  • In Orange County, Hillsborough Veterinary Clinic Inc. will use a $12,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 19.92 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 28,865 kilowatt hours and realize $3,448 of saving per year.
  • In Person County, Terrasimco Inc. will use a $16,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 25.1 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 37,528 kilowatt hours and realize $2,697 of saving per year.
  • In Rockingham County, Moyer Solar LLC will use a $6,000,000 Rural Energy for America Program Loan for the purchase and installation of a 6.56 megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 11,396,000 kWh in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 1,038 homes. 
  • In Surry County, TAMPCO will use a $4,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a LED lighting system. This project will realize $5,686 in savings, and will replace 72,069 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power seven homes. 
  • In Wayne County, WHH Farms will use a $20,000 Rural Energy for America Program Grant for the purchase and installation of a 1 kilowatt solar array. This project will realize $12,370 in savings, and will replace 172,042 kilowatt hours per year. 

 

“Rural Development is in unique position to make climate smart investments here in North Carolina,” said Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight. “We are devoting resources to create thriving livable communities here at home with the creation of solutions for climate change and renewable energy.”  

Nationwide the funding will help people in 49 states, Guam 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. 

These investments reflect the goals of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which addresses immediate economic needs and includes the largest ever federal investment in clean energy for the future. For example, the Act includes $14 billion in funding for USDA programs that support the expansion of biofuels and help rural businesses and electric cooperatives transition to renewable energy and zero-emission systems.

Background:  

Bronaugh highlighted a total of 415 investments that USDA is making through three programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs are Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants, and Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Grants.

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. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate, smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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