USDA Rural Development State Director in Kansas, Lynne Hinrichsen, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded 13 Rural Energy for America Grants (REAP) to ag producers and rural-based businesses.
“USDA is helping assist small, rural businesses and agricultural producers invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that can help stabilize energy costs,” said Hinrichsen. “The REAP program helps reduce energy costs for small businesses and ag producers, which creates an opportunity for them to invest in other areas of their business.”
Under today’s announcement, USDA is investing $9.3 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the nation. Congress appropriated $50 million for REAP grants and loan guarantees in fiscal year 2019. USDA will make additional funding announcements in the REAP program in coming weeks.
Recipients can use REAP funding for a variety of needs, such as conducting energy audits and installing renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. Funds also can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration.
In Kansas the following small business and ag producers received REAP grants:
- Abilene Machine LLC
Solomon, Kan.
$19,500 REAP Grant
Lighting Upgrades and Additional Insulation.
- Aviation Consulting & Engineering Solutions Inc.
Maize, Kan.
$20,000 REAP Grant
Installing a Geothermal System.
- Discs Unlimited Inc.
Herington, Kan.
$5,762 REAP Grant
Installing a Solar Array System.
- Fort Scott Hospitality Co.
Fort Scott, Kan.
$7,429 REAP Grant
Lighting Upgrades.
- John L & Peggy A Carr Living Trust
Pawnee County, Kan.
$7,267 REAP Grant
Upgrading Irrigation System.
- The Osawatomie Agency Inc.
Paola, Kan.
$17,625 REAP Grant
Installing a Solar Array System.
- Peabody Grocery Inc.
Peabody, Kan.
$17,007 REAP Grant
Upgrading Freezers.
- Pfaff Signs LLC
Goddard, Kan.
$6,937 REAP Grant
Installing a Solar Array System.
- Protection Community Venture Inc.
Protection, Kan.
$12,681 REAP Grant
Upgrading Lighting and Refrigeration.
- Michael Slack
Oxford, Kan.
$11,193 REAP Grant
Installing a Solar Array System.
- Spur Ridge Vet Hospital Pa
Marion, Kan.
$8,613 REAP Grant
Installing a Solar Array System.
- J. Douglas Toll
Clifton, Kan.
$9,913 REAP Grant
Installing a Solar Array System.
- Duane Unruh
Peabody, Kan.
$3,583 REAP Grant
Installing a Solar Array System.
USDA accepts applications for REAP funding year-round. The agency will review REAP applications on October 31, 2019. For more information on how to apply for REAP funding, contact a USDA Rural Development Business Programs staff member in your area or visit the website for more information: www.rd.usda.gov/ks
- David Kramer, Topeka Office, (785) 271-2736, david.kramer@usda.gov
- Doug Bruggeman, Hays Office, (785) 624-3234, doug.bruggeman@usda.gov
- Travis Snider, Newton Office, (316) 282-3477, travis.snider@usda.gov
- Randy Snider, Iola Office, (620) 380-3113, randy.snider@usda.gov
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas.