BISMARCK, N.D., April 23, 2024 – Today, in honor of Earth Day 2024, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding more than 700 clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels and create jobs and new market opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis.
Torres Small announced more than $194 million in loans and grants through REAP to support projects in 35 states, including North Dakota, and Puerto Rico.
In North Dakota, USDA Rural Development State Director Erin Oban highlighted the USDA Rural Development grant funds awarded to a rural, family-owned grocery store in Beulah, ND, to help reduce their energy costs by installing energy-efficient systems.
"A grocery store is so much more than just a business to the rural people and communities they serve,” said Oban. “As too many North Dakota communities in recent years have lost their local grocers, we are thrilled that USDA Rural Development resources are investing in another vital family-owned, small town grocery store. When Bronson’s SuperValu is able to save money by reducing its energy costs, they can continue to provide an important service to their friends and neighbors in Beulah.” Audio:MP3, 732Kb, 30 seconds.
Bronson’s SuperValu will use a $98,231 grant to install more energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration equipment. Bronson’s SuperValu Inc. operates as a family-owned grocery store in Beulah. This project will save the business $18,162 per year and replace 293,760 kilowatt hours (59 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power 27 homes.
This REAP grant award is the fourth made to assist rural grocery stores in North Dakota to make energy-efficiency improvements. Bronson’s SuperValu joins NDGS Inc. in Watford City, Krause SuperValu in Garrison, and Harvey Warehouse Grocery in Harvey. More Than Business: Rural Grocers a Lifeline for Locals success story.
Rural Energy for America Program
The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.
The REAP program is part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy and other investment areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2 billion through REAP to support renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. These investments will cut energy costs for family farms and other businesses, increasing their resiliency, and allowing them to invest back into their communities by creating new jobs and other opportunities.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the 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, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, 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.