2016 Rural Business and Cooperative Programs Director Dana Kleinsasser visited Verhulst Enterprises, Inc. (dba Versatile Carpet & Interiors) today in Spearfish, South Dakota to see firsthand the substantial energy efficiency improvements made possible by funding from the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Verhulst Enterprises, Inc. received a $3,235 REAP grant.
“This REAP funding will assist with energy costs and those savings can be reinvested into the businesses to further their success,” said USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Bruce Jones.
Energy efficiency improvements made at Versatile Carpet & Interiors included upgrading lighting to LED and adding insulation to exterior walls of this small retail business.
“We participated in the REAP grant program through USDA and as a result of the money we received from the grant and a rebate from Black Hill Power for the LED lights we installed, the overall savings for this project was 35%! Hetti Cekalla, the loan specialist from the USDA office in Rapid City was key in guiding us through the process - making it very easy and streamlined, we appreciated her help very much,” said Tim Verhulst, Owner of Versatile Carpet & Interiors. “We would recommend this program to anyone who is considering any type of energy remodeling in their business, it is simply a no brainer. We are a total electric store show room and have only August 2015 through May 2016 numbers to compare to but the savings has been over 8% in that time. I invite anyone who is considering using this program to contact us with any questions regarding how smoothly it works.”
The REAP grant can fund up to 25% of the overall energy efficient improvement or renewable energy system costs.
In federal fiscal year 2015, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program delivered funds to 24 South Dakota projects for $1,118,998 for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Rural small businesses, and farmers and ranchers are eligible to apply for REAP. Projects the grant can fund are either for renewable energy systems like solar, hydro and wind power, or for those that increase energy efficiency-such as variable speed drives for well pumps or new energy efficient lighting, heating or air conditioning systems.
"A guaranteed loan through REAP is also available for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects," said Jones. "Rural businesses that are considering an upgrade to HVAC systems for example, may be able to save 25% by pursuing a REAP grant/loan combination."
If you want to learn more, contact Rural Energy Coordinator Jolene Pravecek at the USDA Rural Development Office in Yankton at (605) 655-2662, Ext. 4 or by email at jolene.pravecek@sd.usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development has eight offices in the state that assist rural communities. Office locations include a state office in Huron, along with area offices in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Yankton.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.