USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul visited Country Inn and Suites today in Kearney, Nebraska to see first-hand the energy efficiency project made possible in part by funding from the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Level 5, LLC, the corporate entity owning the Inn, recently received a $5,686 REAP grant. These funds were leveraged with $17,058 from the applicant.
“It is great to see what USDA dollars help to accomplish in energy efficiency,” said Moul. “With the savings in energy costs, those dollars can be reinvested back into the business.”
Funding was used to install a Digismart Wireless Management System to control the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in each hotel room at Country Inn and Suites. A 35% annual energy savings of 136,178,700 BTU’s and $3,651 per year is projected.
“It was very resourceful to be able to utilize this program to assist our partnership to be able to save energy costs in the future,” said Eric Maaske, Level 5, LLC.
In federal fiscal year 2015, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program delivered funds to 70 Nebraska projects for $1,806,905 for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
For more information contact Kelley Messenger at 308-237-3118 or Kelley.messenger@ne.usda.gov
Visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs for information on all of Rural Development’s programs.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.