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USDA Invests $815,000 in Renewable Energy Projects in Rural Florida

Name
Rochelle Urquhart
Email
rochelle.urquhart@usda.gov
City
Gainesville
Release Date

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Dec. 03, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development Jason Brower for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands today announced the Department is investing $815,000 to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural Florida. 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.

Nationwide Background

USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack highlighted 791 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.

Twelve Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) projects announced in Florida include:

  • Wauchula Solar LLC in Hardee County, Fla., is receiving a $35,053 grant to install a 237.3 kilowatt (kW) solar system. The system will be placed on top of an abandoned building that has been converted into a hydroponic lettuce farm. The system will produce 388,235 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough energy to power 35 homes.
  • Security and Fire Electronics Inc. in St. Johns County, Fla., is receiving a $43,465 grant to purchase and install a 80.6 kW roof mount solar system. This project will realize $5,964 per year in savings and will replace 119,236 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 11 homes.
  • McCrory's Bromeliad Nursery LLC in Lake County, Fla., is receiving a $100,667 grant to purchase and install a 134 kW solar system. This project will realize $27,862 per year in savings and will replace 218,709 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 20 homes.
  • Alliance Branford LLC in Gilchrist County, Fla., is receiving a $31,378 grant to purchase and install/replace ventilation fans and LED lighting. This project will realize $35,127 per year in savings and will replace 448,780 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 41 homes.
  • Liberty Wilderness Crossroads Camp Inc. in Liberty County, Fla., is receiving a $138,750 grant to purchase and install a 350.4 kW solar system. This project will realize $61,221 per year in savings and will replace 496,117 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 45 homes.
  • Shields Marina Inc. in Wakulla County, Fla., is receiving a $135,828 grant to purchase and install a 194.4 kW roof mount solar system. This project will realize $18,037 per year in savings and will replace 282,477 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 26 homes.
  • Alliance Dairies in Gilchrist County, Fla., is receiving a $42,655 grant to purchase and install/replace ventilation fans and LED lighting. This project will realize $48,466 per year in savings and will replace 526,304 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 48 homes.
  • International Sales Team of America Inc. in Miami-Dade County, Fla., is receiving a $80,625 grant to purchase and install a 150 kW roof mount solar system. This project will realize $21,590 per year in savings and will replace 250,983 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 23 homes.
  • BACI Enterprises LLC in Hillsborough County, Fla., is receiving a $28,620 grant to purchase and install a 43.2 kW solar system. This project will realize $4,768 per year in savings and will replace 72,243 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power seven homes.
  • Valdes Poultry LLC in Citrus County, Fla., is receiving a $99,914 grant to purchase and install a 127 kW roof mount solar system. This project will realize $20,645 per year in savings and will replace 243,700 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 22 homes.
  • Valdes Poultry 2 LLC in Citrus County, Fla., is receiving a $49,665 grant to purchase and install a 60.2 kW roof mount solar system. This project will realize $10,965 per year in savings and will replace 116,400 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 11 homes.
  • Valdes Poultry 3 LLC in Citrus County, Fla., is receiving a $28,380 grant to purchase and install a 34.4 kW roof mount solar system. This project will realize $4,636 per year in savings and will replace 66,450 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes.

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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