COLUMBUS, Ohio, Apr. 25, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced today funding for 40 projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for investments in renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. These projects will help Ohio farmers and small businesses lower energy costs, generate additional income, and strengthen resiliency in their operations.
“Rising operating costs are hitting our rural small businesses and agricultural producers, and it is imperative that we do what we can to ensure these operations continue to thrive,” said McCracken. “These investments are examples of USDA’s unwavering commitment to financing rural infrastructure that promotes clean, renewable energy while also lowering costs for those who really need it.”
During the current fiscal year that began October 1, 2024, USDA has awarded more than $7.2 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to 49 Ohio small businesses and agricultural producers to purchase and install renewable energy or energy efficient systems.
The most recent Ohio REAP grant recipients are:
Spire Academy in Geneva, Ohio, received a $1,000,000 grant to purchase and install a 1.17-Megawatt (MW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the school $53,500 in annual energy costs and generate nearly 1.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 36 percent of its annual energy use.
Fine Swine, LLC in South Solon, Ohio, received a $555,206 grant to purchase and install a 466-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the farm nearly $46,800 in annual energy costs and replace 668,400 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 54 percent of its annual energy use.
5th Canal Property Management, LLC in Ashtabula, Ohio, received a $42,740 grant to purchase and install energy efficient LED lighting and replace insulation. This project is expected to save the business $10,873 in annual energy costs and reduce nearly 82 percent of its annual energy use.
Purdum Farms, LLC in Bainbridge, Ohio, received a $151,013 grant to purchase an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the farm $8,100 in annual energy costs and reduce consumption by 488,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 20 percent of its annual energy use.
AK Athletic Equipment, Inc. in Canal Winchester, Ohio, received a $146,059 grant to purchase and install a 147-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $21,000 in annual energy costs and replace 174,100 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 89 percent of its annual energy use.
Keith Bausell in Carrollton, Ohio, received a $18,930 grant to purchase and install a 13.35-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $1,903 in annual energy costs and reduce energy use by 14,544 kilowatt hours (kWh).
House of Cheesecake, LLC in Carrollton, Ohio, received a $34,700 grant to install a 23.46-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $4,981 in annual energy costs and reduce energy use by 26,221 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Fuerst Brothers, LLC in Columbus Grove, Ohio, received a $214,446 grant to purchase an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the farm nearly $7,300 in annual energy costs and replace 96,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 70 percent of its annual energy use.
Heitmeyer Funeral Home, LLC in Columbus Grove, Ohio, received a $15,995 grant to purchase and install a 7.2-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $550 in annual energy costs and replace 8,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 93 percent of its annual energy use.
Buckeye Application Sales and Service in Continental, Ohio, received a $46,620 grant to purchase and install a 37.8-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $6,315 in annual energy costs and reduce its energy use by 50,132 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Drewes Farms Partnership in Custar, Ohio, received a $85,941 grant to purchase and install a 57-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the farm $13,300 in annual energy costs and replace 63,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or more than 100 percent of its annual energy use.
David Hawk of Danville, Ohio, received a $169,223 grant to purchase and install a 130-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the farm $12,400 in annual energy costs and replace 168,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 100 percent of annual energy use.
Dennison Bridge, Inc. of Dennison, Ohio, received a $55,090 grant to purchase and install a 27-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $4,600 in annual energy costs and replace 31,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or more than 100 percent of its annual energy use.
Sojourner’s Lodge in Dundee, Ohio, received an $81,205 grant to purchase and install a 44.3-kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project is expected to save the business $7,214 in annual energy costs and reduce energy use by 45,989 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Ecostar, LLC in Eaton, Ohio, received a $63,870 grant to purchase and install a 50-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the car wash facility $6,700 in annual energy costs and replace 67,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or more than 100 percent of its annual energy use.
Wooly Pig Farm Brewery Company in Fresno, Ohio, received a $143,000 grant to purchase and install a 99.91-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the brewery $14,373 in annual energy costs and offset nearly 68 percent of its annual energy use.
Optek, Inc. in Galena, Ohio, received a $31,680 grant to install a 21-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $1,700 in annual energy costs and replace 27,100 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 105 percent of its annual energy use.
Geneva Hotel, LLC in Geneva, Ohio, received a $157,500 grant to purchase and install a 168.5-kilowatt (kW) ground-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $13,650 in annual energy costs and reduce its energy use by 195,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Stanwade Metal Products, Inc. in Hartford, Ohio, received a $183,850 grant to purchase and install a 147-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $20,000 in annual energy costs and replace 179,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 95 percent of its annual energy use.
Leon Klopfenstein, an ag producer in Haviland, Ohio, received a $71,187 grant to purchase and install 64-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $5,000 in annual energy costs and replace 82,400 kilowatt hours of electricity, or more than 100 percent of the farm’s annual energy use.
Latanick Equipment in Huron, Ohio, received a $14,875 grant to purchase an energy efficient LED lighting system. This project is expected to save $4,397 in annual energy costs and reduce the business’ energy use by 43,362 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Daniel’s Amish Collection in Killbuck, Ohio, received a $31,852 grant to purchase and install an energy efficient dust collection system at its furniture building business. This project is expected to save $33,954 in annual energy costs and offset six percent of its energy use.
Benco Construction Services, LLC in Lebanon, Ohio, received a $79,432 grant to purchase and install a 45-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $4,100 in annual energy costs and replace 58,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or more than 100 percent of its annual energy use.
Foundation Service, a masonry business in Lewisburg, Ohio, received a $30,565 grant to purchase and install a 33-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $2,700 in annual energy costs and replace 23,400 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or more than 100 percent of its annual energy use.
Morris Hardware, Inc. in McConnelsville, Ohio, received a $38,316 grant to purchase and install a 23.1-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $4,018 in annual energy costs and reduce energy use by 28,665 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Susan Schmidt, an ag producer in Medina, Ohio, received a $17,313 grant to purchase and install a 17.5-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $3,300 in annual energy costs and replace 19,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or more than 100 percent of her annual energy use.
Premier Housing, Ltd. in Millersburg, Ohio, received a $290,150 grant to purchase and install a 292.94-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $55,195 in annual energy costs and reduce its energy use by 314,231 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Pendragon Development Company, LLC, a home developer in Morrow, Ohio, received a $115,332 grant to purchase and install a 58-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $8,700 in annual energy costs and replace 79,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 89 percent of its annual energy use.
Maners Rental Property in Mount Vernon, Ohio, received a $25,507 grant to purchase and install an 8.6-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $1,682 in annual energy costs and reduce its energy use by 8,410 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Frederick Dailey of Mount Vernon, Ohio, received a $13,115 grant to purchase and install an 8.01-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save his business $1,226 in annual energy costs and reduce energy use by 9,755 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Myron Wehr Farms, LLC in New Waterford, Ohio, received a $65,394 grant to purchase and install a 38.88-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $4,501 in annual energy costs and reduce the farm’s energy use by 41,863 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Pullins Farms in Quincy, Ohio, received a $37,440 grant to purchase and install a 16-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $6,300 in annual energy costs and replace 30,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of the farm’s electricity, or 89 percent of its annual energy use.
Randy L. Zurface of Sabina, Ohio, received a $46,273 grant to purchase an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the farm $11,236 in annual energy costs and reduce consumption by 101,000 kilowatt hours (kWh), or 60 percent of its annual energy use.
MSM Farms, LLC in Sabina, Ohio, received a $133,636 grant to purchase an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the farm $12,000 in annual energy costs and reduce energy consumption by 280,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 47 percent of its annual energy use.
Edward Schaefer of Salem, Ohio, received a $29,733 grant to purchase and install a 17.82-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array at his small farm operation. This project is expected to save $2,252 in annual energy costs and offset nearly 113 percent his annual energy use.
Stollers Organic Dairy in Sterling, Ohio, received a $183,527 grant to purchase and install a 168.78-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $24,873 in annual energy costs and offset 100 percent of the dairy’s annual energy use.
Holmes Rental Station in Sugarcreek, Ohio, received a $118,550 grant to purchase and install a 107.67-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $11,241 in annual energy costs and reduce its energy use by 113,394 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Bryan Graber of Sugarcreek, Ohio, received a $70,950 grant to purchase and install a 58.2-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $9,686 in annual energy costs and reduce his energy use by 57,701 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Mark Porter Autoplex, LLC in Pomeroy, Ohio, received a $206,596 grant to purchase and install a 196.7-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $48,619 in annual energy costs and reduce the business’ energy use by 236,241 kilowatt hours (kWh).
Michael Family Potato Farms, LLC in Urbana, Ohio, received a $76,800 grant to purchase and install an 80-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $21,379 in annual energy costs and reduce its energy use by 105,615 kilowatt hours (kWh).
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 in the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills.
In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expanded REAP and added additional funding so more rural businesses and producers can access the program and lower costs.
USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees, and grants to help businesses, communities, and families with economic opportunities, improved infrastructure, and safe, affordable housing that improves quality of life for residents in rural areas.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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.