Rural Development State Director for North Carolina Robert Hosford today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding 19 grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for projects throughout North Carolina to reduce energy costs for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions.
Under today’s announcement, USDA is investing $234,680 through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across North Carolina. 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.
“USDA Rural Development is driving economic development in North Carolina through its support to rural communities,” said Hosford. “The projects receiving these funds will help businesses lower energy costs and improve the business’ bottom line.”
Recipients can use REAP funding for a variety of needs, such as 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. Listed below are a few examples of how farmers, rural business owners and institutions are making investments in their operations through REAP.
North Carolina’s recipients are:
|
Alleghany |
Growing For Good LLC |
$ 5,561 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Anson |
Bobby E. McCollum Jr. |
$ 18,247 |
Poultry House Insulation |
|
Buncombe |
Thatchmore Farm Inc. |
$ 7,653 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Burke |
Little Guatemala LLC |
$ 17,236 |
Upgrade Lighting and Windows |
|
Carteret |
Geodynamics LLC |
$ 17,253 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Clay |
Philip W. Moore |
$ 7,312 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Clay |
Seth M. Solesbee |
$ 7,375 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Clay |
Tri-County Office Supply Inc. |
$ 15,787 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Forsyth |
John D. Lipka |
$ 13,242 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Gaston |
EZ Store LLC |
$ 11,940 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Macon |
Charles B. Raby |
$ 7,625 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Montgomery |
Hornwood Inc. |
$ 19,704 |
Lighting Upgrades |
|
Perquimans |
James A. Stallings Jr. |
$ 16,273 |
Upgrading Irrigation System |
|
Rockingham |
Repolytex, LLC |
$ 18,065 |
Lighting Upgrades |
|
Stanly |
H. W. Culp Lumber Company |
$ 12,171 |
Lighting Upgrades |
|
Stokes |
Pinchgut Farm LLC |
$ 12,560 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Surry |
Haze Gray Vineyards LLC |
$ 8,300 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Union |
Wise Acres Corporation |
$ 6,876 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Wilkes |
Dom Bakeries NC LLC |
$ 11,500 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.