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USDA Rural Development Delivers $18.3 Million in Funding for Clean Energy Projects To Strengthen the Rural Iowa Economy

Name
Cecilia Lynch
Release Date
195 Grants to Ag Producers and Small Businesses across the State  

DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 14, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that USDA is investing $18,367,170 in 195 projects across the state to strengthen the economy and lower costs for agricultural producers and rural small business owners with funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). 

“All these projects funded today shine a light on how to fulfill the promise of reliable, renewable clean energy for Iowans,” said Director Greenfield. “USDA is delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to increasing access to clean sources of energy and lowering costs for ag producers, small businesses, and families in Iowa.”

REAP grants in Iowa

Today’s REAP awards in Iowa may be found online and include these four examples: 

-Till's Garage Inc. received a $59,290 grant to install a 40 kilowatt (kW) solar system for its auto sales dealership in Bellevue in Jackson County. This project will realize $6,094 per year in savings and will save 51,592 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year (100 percent of previous business use), which is enough electricity to power four homes.

-Polasheks Locker Service Inc. received a $99,995 grant to install a solar array at its meat processing facility in Protivin, in Howard County. This project is expected to save $14,870 per year. It will replace 94,152 kilowatt hours (kWh) (32 percent of business energy usage) per year, which is enough energy to power eight homes.

-Elite Octane LLC, an ethanol manufacturing operation in Atlantic, in Cass County, received a $500,000 grant to install a new, more efficient oil recovery system. This project is expected to save $913,582 per year. It will save 10,103,986 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 932 homes.

-Bottlebrush Swine LLC received a $259,281 grant to install a 249.2 kilowatt (kW) solar array at its hog and pig production farm operation near Garner and its operation near Ventura. This project in Hancock County will realize $42,967 per year in savings and will generate and replace 339,156 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year (96 percent of previous business use), which is enough electricity to power 31 homes.

Background

Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.7 billion through REAP in 9,901 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Almost 7,000 of these projects were funded by over $1 billion provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. 

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.

Contact USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and rural areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly. 

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance 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. 

                                                                                       

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