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Success Stories

Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure is Key to Preserving Smith Island, Maryland

For the people living on Smith Island, the water matters. But it’s about more than the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from the picturesque island ten miles from the mainland. The multi‐generational residents depend on the surrounding Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods. For many, crabbing, oystering, and ecotourism are what puts dollars in their bank accounts, and food on their tables. In rural communities…

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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 37 Stories
Chocowinity Solar Project

RUS Electric Program Funds Largest USDA Solar Project to Date

RUS Electric Program has provided loan funds in the amount of $20 million for a renewable energy solar project, which is USDA’s largest solar project to date. The loan to Montgomery Solar, LLC, will help build a 20 megawatt Solar Farm located in Briscoe, NC. “It will occupy… [Read More]
REAP Program

Save Money Save Energy

South Dakota USDA Rural Development recently partnered with Black Hills Power and Light based in Rapid City, SD to host four outreach seminars that provided participants with information on Black Hills Power energy efficiency rebates and incentives, customer service programs and… [Read More]

Somerset County Farm Saving Energy

With energy rates on the rise, farms everywhere are struggling to make ends-meet. Pennwood Farms in Berlin, a borough located approximately 75 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Somerset County, is one of many dairy farms looking to curb the cost of energy by  producing it through… [Read More]
Precision Prefinishing installed energy-efficient lighting at its Harrisburg facility with help from a USDA grant.

A Rural Business is Reaping the Rewards of Increased Energy Efficiency

Precision Prefinishing may be a small business, but it needs a large space to conduct its work of custom finishing panels for cabinets, siding, and other construction products. Its 130,000-square-foot facility in the rural town of Harrisburg in western Oregon was lit with… [Read More]
A bride holds a floral arrangement made by 3 Porch Farm, an fusion of artistic expression and natural rhythms

Walking on Sunshine at 3 Porch Farm

Tucked away in Comer, Georgia is 3 Porch Farm, a sustainably-grown flower and fruit farm owned and managed by Steve and Mandy O’Shea. They specialize in delighting locals at the farmers markets in Atlanta and Marietta and Athens, Georgia with a variety of value-added products… [Read More]
USOrdnancerobotfundedbyREAP

Northern Nevada Manufacturer Uses REAP to Overhaul Assembly Line, Saves Money on Automation and LED Lights

U.S. Ordnance, a Northern Nevada weapons manufacturing plant, recently overhauled its assembly line and energy systems with help from staff with Nevada Industry Excellence (NVIE) and USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Originally based out of California, owner-… [Read More]
El Molcajete after improvements.

El Cambio es Bueno! (Change is Good!)

In March of 2017, the city of Scottsbluff announced a grant opportunity for businesses (many of which are Hispanic owned) to improve the exterior of buildings along the East Overland Corridor.  Ramon and Elena Pedroza decided this might be an opportunity for their restaurant, El… [Read More]