United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Indiana State Director for Indiana Michael Dora today announced that the USDA is providing $1,213,736 in grants to help farmers, ag producers and rural based businesses lower energy cost.
“Renewable energy this the future of America,” Michael said. “Our grants will help our rural communities increase energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy.”
Funding is provided through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Indiana recipients include:
- In Columbus, Bartholomew County, AWS Properties, LLC is receiving a $19,918 grant to install a Solar Array System.
- In Syracuse, Kosciusko County, Dan Beer is receiving a $43,350 grant to install a Solar Array System.
- In Cloverdale, Putnam County, C Bar C Expo Center, LLC. is receiving a $100,000 grant to install a Solar Array System.
- In Waterloo, Fayette County, Covington Box & Packaging Inc. is receiving a $230,970 grant to install a Solar Array System.
- In Valparaiso, Porter County, Gary Dunlap is receiving a $49,950 grant to upgrade a grain dryer.
- In Converse, IN Dale Allon Durkes is receiving a $19,814 to install a Solar Array System
- In Winamac, Pulaski County, Form-It Corp. is receiving a $5,625 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Logansport, Cass County, Howard Swine Farms, LLC. is receiving a $31,897 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Austin, Scott County, Hunley Farms, LLC. is receiving a $46,359 grant to upgrade a grain dryer
- in Bluffton, Wells County, Josh Fiechter Farms, Inc. is receiving a $40,911 grant to upgrade a grain dryer
- In Syracuse, Kosciusko County Lakeland Animal Clinic is receiving a $24,864 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Haubstadt, Gibson County, Little Clay Hill Farms, Inc is receiving a $46,219 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Kokomo, Howard County, Maple Farms GP is receiving a $55,000 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Reynolds, White County, Douglas McGill is receiving a $19,805 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In North Manchester, Wabash County, Midwest Poultry Services, LP is receiving a $155,304 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Michigan City, Laporte County, Pahs Road Venture, LLC is receiving a $97,500 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Ferdinand, Shelby County, Peters Farms LLC is receiving a $49,730 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In South Whitley, Whitey County, Cory E. Sickafoose is receiving a $34,000 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Decatur, Adams County, Alexander L. Steiner is receiving a $19,978 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Huntington, Huntington County, Chris Stephan is receiving a $14,368 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Tipton, Tipton County, Total Seed Production, Inc. is receiving a $83,332 grant to install a Solar Array System
- In Columbus, Bartholomew County, Wehmeier Farms, Inc. is receiving a $24,842 grant to upgrade a grain dryer.
Dora’s announcement is in coordination with the recent announcement made by Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy where he announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded 640 awards to applicants in all 50 states totaling $237 million.
“Businesses grow and create more jobs when their energy costs are lower,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, 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.
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.