U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USDA Invests $197k in Critical Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change Across Rural Indiana

Name
Lewis Hilburn
Phone
City
Indianapolis
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh announced today, USDA is investing $121 million in critical infrastructure to combat climate change across rural America. The investments include $111 million for 289 projects to help people living in socially vulnerable communities.

“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 $197k in USDA funding will help 11 businesses in Indiana. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development (RD) helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure, and social service needs.

Dr. Terry Goodin, Indiana USDA-RD State Director, said, “The Rural Energy for America Program helps local Hoosiers fulfill an emergent need for their businesses. This is what it means to Build a Better America.”  

Peak3 Pork Farms LLP in Forest was awarded $14,283 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase and install a 127-kilowatt solar array. This project will save the business $16,569 per year in energy costs and will generate 174,178 kilowatt hours, which is enough electricity to power 13 homes.

Sherlin Endicott in Atlanta was awarded $15,500 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase a new electric irrigation motor and pump. The equipment will be connected to the utility via existing connections and require no net metering or power purchase agreements. This project is estimated to reduce energy consumption by 88.8 percent and save the business $1,900 in energy costs a year.

B & B Farms of Pittsboro Inc. in Pittsboro was awarded $31,110 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase and install a grain dryer. The recipient is a family grain producer located in Hendricks County. This project will save the farm $12,440 per year in energy costs and will generate enough energy equivalent to powering six homes.

Jal Poultry & Swine Farms LLC in Union City was awarded $20,000 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase and install a 19-kilowatt solar array. This project will save the producer $3,842 per year in energy costs and will replace 25,849 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Warsaw Automotive Supply Corporation in Warsaw was awarded $17,069 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase and install a 36-kilowatt solar array. This project will save the business $8,267 in energy costs per year and will replace 46,931 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Perspective 361 LLC dba Cable Bullet in Warsaw was awarded $12,122 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase and install a 24-kilowatt renewable energy system. This project will help Cable Bullet, a cable rail system manufacturer, reduce dependency on the grid. This system will generate 31,073 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Alvin J. Beechy in LaGrange was awarded $20,000 and this Rural Development investment will be used to purchase and install a 38.3-kilowatt solar array. The array will be connected to a battery backup energy storage system to ensure the business never loses power. This project will save the business $12,324 per year in energy costs and will replace 56,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

HJR Farms Inc. in Hamlet was awarded $9,068 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help the family farmer install a more energy-efficient irrigation system. The new system is expected to save the company $1,037 in electrical costs per year.

Janice Pilarski in Mishawaka was awarded $13,450 and this Rural Development investment will be used to purchase and install a 20-kilowatt solar array. Janice Pilarski is a fish farm and green house owner in St. Joseph County. This project will save the business $3,704 per year in energy costs and will replace 29,737 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Dry Dock Marine Center Inc.in Angola was awarded $25,000 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase and install a 50.8-kilowatt solar array. The recipient is a boat sales business located in Steuben County. This project will save the business $10,762 per year in energy costs and will replace 74,500 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes.

Triple S Smith Farms Inc. in Windfall was awarded $20,000 and this Rural Development investment will be used to help purchase and install a 44-kilowatt solar array. The recipient is a grain and tomato producer located in Tipton County. This project will save the agricultural producer $7,900 per year in energy costs and will replace 60,834 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

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.

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.

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. 

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, 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.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.