COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced today nearly $1 million in grant funding for five projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These grants help Ohio farmers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to lower operating costs.
“More and more we see the benefits of farms and rural small businesses investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency systems. Lower utility bills mean that recipients can invest these savings back into their businesses, benefitting the workers and the communities they live in,” said McCracken. “Not only do these investments benefit farmers and small business owners, but they create jobs across Ohio for the workers installing and manufacturing these renewable energy systems and energy saving products.”
These projects announced today continue to advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. They will create jobs in rural communities through clean energy projects that lower energy costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families.
During the fiscal year that began October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, USDA has awarded nearly $28 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to 164 Ohio small businesses and agricultural producers to invest in renewable energy or energy efficient systems.
The most recent Ohio recipients include:
Alpine Valley LLC, in Dundee, Ohio, received a $93,900 grant to purchase and install a 65.32-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the operation $6,490 in annual energy costs and generate 71,834 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power six homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset nearly 121 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
ACJM Investments in Waverly, Ohio, received a $80,591 grant to purchase and install a 39.9-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $6,675 in annual energy costs and generate 42,930 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power three homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset nearly 115 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
Celina Custom Auto LLC, in Celina, Ohio, received a $39,474 grant to purchase and install a 30.96-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the operation $5,677 in annual energy costs and generate 39,699 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power three homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset nearly 54 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
BM- Clarence C. Cardwell Inc. / Baltimore IGA in Baltimore, Ohio, received a $397,719 grant to purchase and install energy efficient refrigeration. This project is expected to save the business $42,124 in annual energy costs and save 373,702 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 34 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 50 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
Storage of America (SOA) Oak Harbor in Sandusky, Ohio, received a $331,800 grant to purchase and install a 395.6-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This investment is expected to save the storage facility $77,916 in annual energy costs and generate 515,998 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 47 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset nearly 85 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
Congress created REAP as part of the 2008 Farm Bill by combining the 2002 Farm Bill’s Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Energy Systems Program with an amended version of another 2002 Farm Bill program for grants for energy audits and assistance in using renewable energy technology and resources. The program was reauthorized by the Farm Bills of 2014 and 2018.
In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expanded REAP and added additional funding so more rural businesses and agricultural producers can access the program and lower costs. REAP enables them to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy, and make energy efficiency improvements.
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USDA Rural Development has five offices in Ohio – Columbus, Findlay, Hillsboro, Marietta, and Massillon. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Ohio, call (614) 255-2400 or visit our website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/oh.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.