NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 03, 2021 - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $633 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. As part of the Build Back Better agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in rural communities, creating good-paying jobs and combating the climate crisis top priorities. Tennessee Rural Development is pleased to be investing $911,987 in eight rural counties across the state.
“Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” Vilsack said. “President Biden has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs. With the Build Back Better agenda, USDA will be able to fund more and more critical projects like those announced today in the coming months and years.”
Background:
Vilsack highlighted 793 investments that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Electric Loan Program, Rural Energy for America 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.
These investments will help build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. They will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. They will also help transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers by sharing the costs to install fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure.
Secretary Vilsack made the announcement from Saubel’s Markets in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, which will receive a $103,413 USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant. With this funding, the small business will install solar panels on the roof of their family-owned grocery store that has been in business since the 1960s. This project is expected to save $30,852 per year and will replace 395,539 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 36 homes annually. As part of today’s announcement, Pennsylvania will receive more than $1 million for 22 projects across the state.
In Tennessee:
- Williams Sausage Company Inc. will use a $169,150 grant for the purchase and installation of a combined heat and power renewable energy system. Williams Sausage is a family owned, locally operated small business that makes sausage for nationwide distribution. The project will replace 2,729,603 btu per year.
- Eastern Plating LLC will use a $48,747 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of a new LED lighting system. Eastern Plating LLC is a locally owned and operated business that provides electroplating finishing services to customers throughout North America. This project will realize $88,132 per year in savings, and will replace/save 1,081,385 kWh of electricity per year which is enough electricity to power 99 homes.
- SR Bolivar LLC will use a $500,000 grant to construct a 3.25MWac Solar Array. This project is expected to replace/save 8,094,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough energy to power more than 800 homes.
- Hilltop Cee Bee LLC will use a $66,783 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of replacement refrigeration rack compressors, condensers, and heat reclaim equipment. Hilltop Cee Bee is an existing grocery store that sells groceries and produce to the local area. This project will realize $23,145 per year in savings and will replace 224,869 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 19 homes.
- Discount Liquors Acquisition LLC will use a $31,125 grant for the purchase and installation of a 36.8 kW solar PV system. This project will realize $6,314 per year in savings, and will replace 52,621 kWh (72%) per year which is enough electricity to power five homes.
- Case Enterprises Development Corporation will use a $46,321 grant for the installation of a 101.25 kw (DC) roof mounted solar PV system for office space usage. Case Enterprises is a small business focused on real estate development projects. This renewable energy improvement will generate 145,357 kWh per year which is enough electricity to power 14 homes.
- Hutchinson Farms will use a $44,874 grant to replace the existing equipment with the proposed Neco grain dryer which will result in increased efficiency of the farm/business operation overall and will result in dramatic energy use and cost reductions specifically. Hutchinson Farms is an agricultural producer who grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay on 4,403 acres. This project will realize $22,811 per year in savings, and will replace 296,526 kWh (59%) per year, which is enough energy to power 27 homes.
- Louis S. Smith Company Inc. will use a $4,987 grant for the purchase and installation of a 5.2kW solar PV system. Louis Smith d/b/a Select Trailers Co. is a horse and livestock trailer sales and service company. This project will replace 6,996 kWh (16%) per year and realize $700 per year in savings.
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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