The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Virginia Rural Development office today announced $65,921 in grants to help four rural Virginia businesses and two agricultural producers to install renewable energy systems.
"This program is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation’s critical energy needs,” said Janice Stroud-Bickes, Virginia Acting State Director, USDA Rural Development. “We are committed to assisting rural businesses and agriculture producers continue to be innovative and move Virginia’s economy forward.”
USDA Rural Development is awarding the grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The REAP program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits, and providing renewable energy development assistance.
Funds may be used for energy audits, renewable energy technical assistance and renewable energy site assessments.
Eligible project costs include salaries and travel expenses directly related to conducting energy audits or renewable energy development assistance. Up to a 5 percent maximum of the grant may be used for administrative expenses, which include but are not limited to utilities, office space, office operation expenses and other project-related equipment.
Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement.
Information about each grant is below.
Yoder’s Country Market - Madison County - $20,000
A solar system will be installed to provide electricity to the country market store that will displace 51 percent of their energy usage. The proposed system is projecting to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 14 homes.
Brynik Farms, LLC - Prince Edward County - $19,687
A 31.5kW solar PV system will be installed to provide electricity to the farming operation that will displace 100 percent of their energy usage.
Colin J. Hagan - Greene County - $10,610
A solar system will be installed to provide electricity to a rural veterinary clinic that will displace 100 percent of their energy usage.
The Dog House, LLC - Henry County - $8,308
A 10kW solar system will be installed to provide electricity to the pet boarding facility that will displace 100 percent of their energy usage.
Dialogue and Design Associates, LLC - Albemarle County - $2,765
A 5.04 kW solar PV system will be installed to provide electricity to the rural small business that will displace 93 percent of their energy usage.
Evergreen Lavender Farm, LLC - Appomattox County - $4,551
A 9 kW solar PV system will be installed to provide electricity to the lavender farm that will displace 100 percent of their energy usage.
USDA Rural Development invested more than $795,000 last year in REAP grants in Virginia. The agency in 2016 invested more than $1.2 billion in rural Virginia through 40 loan, grant and loan guarantee programs in housing, business, agriculture, energy, health care and community facilities. It has employees stationed in 12 offices across the Commonwealth to better serve residents where they live and to improve the economy and quality of life in rural Virginia.
For more information, please visit www.rd.usda.gov/va