The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is investing $147,240 to help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers in rural Colorado. The entities have received grant funds to help them decrease the demand for energy and to help reduce energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers.
“The investments across the state and announced today will be equivalent to offsetting the annual electrical usage of 37 homes,” said USDA Rural Development Colorado State Director Sallie Clark. “These projects are perfect examples of how, right here in Colorado, we are embracing innovation, not only to cut costs to support important, job-creating businesses or services in our community, but also to do our part in decreasing our environmental footprint,” said Clark.
The projects announced are:
- Tech Instrumentation, Inc. in Elizabeth received a $9,315 grant to install a 13.2kW solar PV system that will produce 18,717 kWh annually. This project will replace 115% of this rural small business’s current electrical usage and save the applicant approximately $2,000 annually on their electrical bill.
- Bennett Forgeworks, Inc. in Ridgway, received a $14,379 grant to install a 19kW solar PV system that will produce 31,486 kWh annually. This project will replace 96% of this rural small business’s current electrical usage and save the applicant approximately $3,700 annually on their electrical bill.
- Adobe House Farms in Durango, received a $14,425 grant to install a 18 kW solar PV system that will produce 30,769kWh annually. This project will replace 64% of the small agricultural producer’s current electrical usage and save them approximately $3,900 annually on their electrical bill.
- KR, LLC in Ouray, received a $38,598 grant to install a 57.97 kW solar PV system that will produce 82,378 kWh annually. This project will replace 56% of this rural small business’s electric usage and save the applicant approximately $10,000 annually on their electrical bill.
- North Side LLC in Durango, received a $22,433 grant to install a 32.58 kW solar PV system that will produce 64,165 kWh annually. This project will replace 98% of this rural small business’s current electrical usage and save the applicant approximately $8,900 annually on their electrical bill.
- Hart Farms in Monte Vista, received a $48,090 grant to install a 79.6 kW solar PV system that will produce 151,795 kWh annually. This project will replace 85% of this agricultural producer’s electric irrigation usage. This will save the applicant approximately $12,000 annually on their electrical bill.
The REAP program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Applications for the next round of funding are currently being accepted. Applications for Grants of $20,000 or less and Loan/Grant of $20,000 or less combinations are due by November 2, 2020. For additional information on this program in Colorado, contact Don Nunn, donald.nunn@usda.gov.