COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced today nearly $1.1 million in grant funding for 20 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.
“Ohio Rural Development has been partnering with farmers and small businesses across the state to invest in money-saving renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades through the Renewable Energy for America Program. This program has led to significant investment in rural areas, creating jobs, spurring economic growth, and helping Ohio businesses save on their utility bills,” said McCracken. “This investment in rural communities is just one of the many ways USDA shows its continued commitment every day, because when rural communities thrive, we all do.”
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 current fiscal year that began October 1, 2024, USDA has awarded more than $12.5 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to 88 Ohio small businesses and agricultural producers to invest in renewable energy or energy efficient systems. REAP recipients are eligible for up to 50% grant for qualifying projects.
Ohio recipients include:
Susan West of Bellaire, Ohio, received a $13,900 grant to purchase and install a 9.2-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save her $1,401 in annual energy costs and generate 10,270 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting annual energy consumption by more than 110 percent.
Pettit’s Market in Williamsport Ohio, received a $267,663 grant to purchase and install energy efficient roofing, racking and refrigeration. This project is expected to save the business $7,749 in annual energy costs and save 131,997 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 12 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 15 percent of the business energy consumption annually.
BCS Farm, LLC in Rossburg, Ohio, received a $35,000 grant to purchase and install a 28.62-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. The project is expected to save this operation $4,734 in annual energy costs and generate 39,681 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 61 percent of the farm's annual energy consumption.
Campbell, Inc. in Findlay, Ohio, received a $17,483 grant to purchase and install a 7.6-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $931 in annual energy costs and generate 9,313 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 106 percent of its annual energy consumption.
John Fry of Montpelier, Ohio, received a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 12-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $1,466 in annual energy costs, generate 15,242 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, and offset nearly 124 percent of his annual energy consumption.
Marie’s Candies in West Liberty, Ohio, received a $4,538 grant to purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting. This project is expected to save the business $1,020 in annual energy costs and generate 9,769 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 59 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
Lynn Schrader Trust in Fremont, Ohio, received a $16,410 grant to purchase and install a 19.9-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $1,206 in annual energy costs and generate 8,171 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 100 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
Glen Fruth of Fostoria, Ohio, received a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 15.75-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. The project is expected to save his business $2,801 in annual energy costs and generate 22,601 kilowatt hours of electricity, offsetting nearly 87 percent of his business’ annual energy consumption.
Brande Vollrath of Milford Center, Ohio, received a $22,059 grant to purchase and install a 16.34-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save her farm $3,268 in annual energy costs and generate 16,340 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 96 percent of the farm's annual energy consumption.
GKS Farms, LLC in Haviland, Ohio, received a $346,900 grant to purchase and install a 292.56-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the farm $47,859 in annual energy costs and generate 395,532 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 87 percent of the farm’s annual energy consumption.
Sonrise Properties in Danville, Ohio, received a $17,415 grant to purchase and install a 16.35-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $1,608 in annual energy costs and generate 12,900 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 188 percent of its annual energy consumption.
Ameri Cal Corporation in Medina, Ohio, received a $16,873 grant to purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting. This project is expected to save the business $3,363 in annual energy costs and save 35,833 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 49 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
Padco Industries, LLC in Newbury, Ohio, received a $8,543 grant to purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting. This project is expected to save the business $3,158 in annual energy costs and save 19,192 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 45 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
Lakeview Arabian in Hanoverton, Ohio, received a $6,181 grant to purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting. This project is expected to save the business $3,319 in annual energy costs and save 37,729 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power three homes and offset 73 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
Worthington Analytical Services in Lucas, Ohio, received a $14,706 grant to purchase and install a 10-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $2,016 in annual energy costs and generate 10,080 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 199 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
Nelson Shuff of Centerburg, Ohio, received a $13,932 grant to purchase and install a 16.34-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $1,623 in annual energy costs and generate 13,071 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 100 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
1 Coat Industrial Coatings, LLC in Salem, Ohio, received a $4,968 grant to purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting. This project is expected to save the business $2,349 in annual energy costs and save 23,283 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 61 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.
John Norris of Gambier, Ohio, received a $11,416 grant to purchase and install a 7.74-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save him $1,537 in annual energy costs and generate 7,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 97 percent of his operation's annual energy consumption.
GMR Technology in Ashtabula, Ohio, received a $179,500 grant to purchase and install an energy efficient injection press. This project is expected to save the business $15,175 in annual energy costs and save 121,639 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 64 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
Norwalk Furniture in Norwalk, Ohio, received a $51,478 grant to purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting. This project is expected to save the business $43,844 in annual energy costs and save 486,934 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 59 percent of the business’ energy consumption annually.
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.
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