State Director for Rural Development Edd Hargett today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding grants to reduce energy costs for ag producers and rural-based businesses.
Under today’s announcement, USDA is investing $305,548 through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across Texas. 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.
“By lowering energy costs, these businesses and ag producers can become more competitive and create more jobs that will help to make rural communities prosper,” said Hargett.
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.
Texas’ recipients are:
|
County |
Recipient |
Amount |
Purpose |
|
Angelina |
Wing Ranch |
$17,280 |
Upgrade Poultry Houses |
|
Brown |
Gymnos Productions LLC |
$19,550 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Childress |
1207 Avenue F NW Investments LLC |
$19,875 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Collin |
Brushy Creek Event Center LLC |
$10,299 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Collin |
JSK Investments |
$19,875 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Deaf Smith |
Nick Parker Consulting LLC |
$12,500 |
Installing a Hydrogen Fuel Cell |
|
Grimes |
Swan Lake Ranch |
$16,250 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Hays |
Bob and Dot, LLC |
$20,000 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Lavaca |
Bohuslav Feed Mill Inc. |
$11,103 |
Upgrade Feed Mills |
|
Limestone |
Pramukh Darshan Groceries LLC |
$19,875 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Milam |
The Water Co |
$11,064 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Montague |
Bowie Wash |
$18,228 |
Upgrade Laundromat equipment |
|
Moore |
Crownover Farms |
$15,557 |
Upgrading Irrigation System |
|
Moore |
Need It More LP |
$17,580 |
Upgrading Irrigation System |
|
Moore |
Southwest Ag |
$16,909 |
Upgrading Irrigation System |
|
Moore |
Top Notch Equipment LLC |
$15,552 |
Upgrading Irrigation System |
|
Nacogdoches |
Keith Baker |
$14,700 |
Poultry House Improvements |
|
Robertson |
Paul Vanderpoorten Jr |
$ 9,351 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
|
Shelby |
Betty Parker |
$20,000 |
Poultry House Improvements |
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.