Six Rural Farms and Businesses to Enhance Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Indiana Acting State Director Curtis Johnson announced today that USDA is funding new projects in six Hoosier counties to expand access to clean energy and strengthen Indiana farms and small businesses. USDA is making the investments through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“Today, USDA is investing more than $2.4 million in grants that will support six rural Indiana farms and businesses,” Johnson said, “These investments are crucial for the growth of our agricultural sector and for providing cleaner, more affordable energy options for farms and businesses across the state.”
REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.
Below is the list of Hoosier awardees:
- In Fulton County, Smith Grain Inc. will use a $182,423 grant to make energy-efficiency improvements to its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a grain dryer. This project will save the farm $76,640 annually and replace 4,680,436 kilowatt hours (kWh) (61 percent) annually, enough electricity to power 360 homes.
- In Vanderburgh County, Koberstein Holdings, Inc. will use a $131,394 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 450 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $17,110 annually and replace 131,667 kilowatt hours (kWh) (130 percent) annually with enough electricity to power ten homes.
- In St. Joseph County, Charles S. Hayes, dba Hayes Towers, will use a $162,000 grant to develop a renewable energy system for their operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 255.68 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $16,350 annually and generate 243,418 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, enough electricity to power 18 homes.
- In Dubois County, J&S Hasneour Farms LLC will use a $99,500 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 69.9 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $10,591 annually and replace 93,530 kilowatt hours (kWh) (26 percent) annually, enough electricity to power seven homes.
- In Jasper County, S&S Farms LP will use a $865,131 grant to develop a renewable energy system for their operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 60 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $68,227 annually and replace 736,405 kilowatt hours (kWh) (112 percent) annually, enough electricity to power 56 homes.
- In Marshall County, Sequel Wire & Cable LLC, a copper wire manufacturer, will use a $1,000,000 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 1298.5 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $124,431 annually and replace 1,800,432 kilowatt hours (kWh) (25 percent) annually, enough electricity to power 138 homes.
This is the final REAP funding availability from the Inflation Reduction Act. USDA is accepting applications in this first round through two windows. The deadlines to apply are Dec. 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. USDA Rural Development supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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