USDA Rural Development Texas State Director Paco Valentin visited the Tiny Tot Learning Center in Fort Stockton today. Elida Fabela, owner of the center, received a Rural Energy for America Program Grant in 2015 to replace the HVAC system. Tiny Tot Learning Center provides a safe, high quality learning environment which focuses on child development and growth.
“More rural business owners and ag producers are incorporating energy-saving measures into their business plans,” Valentin said. “This learning center provides a vital service to the community by allowing working parents a safe, comfortable and educational environment in which to leave their children.”
Rural Development funds have been used to replace the malfunctioning HVAC system and replace them with three (5 ton) high efficiency units. The new units provide more cooling but use less energy. The additional capacity reduces the runtime on the units, producing additional savings. The energy savings is projected to be 10,088 kW hours per year, which translates to a savings of $1,110/year for the small business.
REAP was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. REAP funding has helped farmers expand renewable energy use in recent years. The new Census of Agriculture shows the number of farms utilizing renewable energy production has doubled in the last five years.
Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen and geothermal.
For information on this and other USDA Rural Development programs in Texas, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/tx.