USDA Helps Rural Businesses Make Energy Efficiency Improvements, Adopt Renewable Energy Systems
Investments in Pennsylvania will Help 22 Businesses Boost Their Bottom Line
Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 10, 2019 – Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $237 million to help farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses lower energy costs. In Pennsylvania, State Director Curt Coccodrilli today announced $757,000 being invested in 22 projects. USDA is providing the funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“Developing renewable energy presents an enormous opportunity to create jobs and help America become more energy independent” Coccodrilli said. “USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural businesses, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Recipients can use REAP funding for energy audits and to install renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. The funding can also be used to increase energy efficiency by making improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration.
Here are the projects that Pennsylvania is funding:
Basehore, Tom |
$16,812 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Brubaker, Randy |
$70,000 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Burkholder, Gary |
$31,235 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Gate 7, LLC |
$31,500 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Hazeltine, Timothy P |
$11,754 |
Upgrade Reverse Osmosis System |
Herr, Gregory Mr |
$32,500 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Hile, Daniel A |
$14,904 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Irion Lumber Company |
$32,422 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Kuleck's Little Red Barn Farm |
$15,125 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Lauver, John |
$27,628 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Lyon's & Hohl, Inc |
$37,500 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Mama's Cookies LLC |
$15,462 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Maust, Dennis |
$5,505 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Meabon Farms |
$23,616 |
Upgrading Grain Dryer |
Metal Litho And Laminating, LLC |
$55,359 |
Upgrade Equipment |
Stoner, Loren |
$31,250 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Von Oechsler Farm LLC |
$9,997 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
W & W Ag, LLC |
$43,765 |
Upgrading Grain Dryer |
Werner Acres |
$122,701 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Wolgemuth's Fairview Farm |
$50,128 |
Upgrading Grain Dryer |
Wolgemuth's Fairview Farm |
$41,250 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
Zimmerman Farms |
$36,587 |
Installing a Solar Array System |
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.