U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn announced today more than $5.1 million in grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation.
The projects advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. They will create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities through clean energy projects that lower energy costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families.
“President Biden is committed to making America more energy independent and at the same time putting more money into the pockets of rural farm operations and small businesses,” Corn said. “Investing in clean energy in rural Oklahoma is becoming a key pillar in rebuilding Oklahoma’s economy, by investing it directly in the types of small business operations and family farms that will build from the bottom up and middle out a better and more resilient economy.”
The Department is awarding the loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), including funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.
In Oklahoma 32 businesses, entities and agricultural producers received grant funding. These projects include wind turbines, solar panels, energy efficient heating and cooling systems and other energy efficiency improvements.
“Since the inception of President Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act’s enactment, we can expect more than a 100 Oklahoma businesses and agriculture producers combined to save more than a million dollars a year on energy costs due to these investments in clean energy,” Corn said. “These are real dollars that will make real impacts for strengthening our Oklahoma economy for many more years to come. There is still an opportunity for applicants to reach out to us for future grant announcements by contacting our State Office at okenergy@usda.gov.”
The following businesses, producers and entities in Oklahoma received grant funding during this round:
- Commercial Rental Property of Enid, $349,698
- Martin Farm Operation of Marlow, $50,297
- The Egg Packer of Mannford, $126,913
- Value Added Products of Alva, $500,000
- Surgery Center of Enid, $468,541
- Lester Farm Operation of Henryetta, $42,788
- Morland Farms Group of Medford, $58,908
- Stone Haven Capital of Vici, $54,750
- H Boys Ranch of Arcadia, $62,854
- Lester Farm Operation of Henryetta, $49,750
- Millar Pecan Company of Afton, $35,801
- Broce Manufacturing of Fairview, $169,388
- The Gridlot of Enid, $160,451
- Century Products of Ponca City, $54,650
- Viacore Nutrition of El Reno, $279,223
- Seminole Ford-Mercury of Seminole, $645,025
- Firefly Veterinary Services of Crescent, $49,814
- Fcok-One of Grove, $500,000
- Darby’s Big Furniture of Duke, $52,800
- R H Ranch of Edmond, $31,154
- Organic Pasture Farms of Mannford, $206,122
- Guthrie Brewing Company of Guthrie, $169,258
- Base Crops and Cattle of Geary, $40,696
- Jackson Angus Beef of Bokchito, $18,096
- The Hanor Company of Enid, $759,250
- O. of Okemah, $19,932
- Clarkson Enterprises of Chandler, $20,000
- White Brothers Cattle of Ninnekah, $12,750
- Newton Wall Company of Elk City, $37,390
- Mary Lee Jones of Watonga, $19,000
- Lynn’s Subway of Heavener, $9,875
Additionally, Oklahoma State University received $100,000 for a Renewable and Energy Audit Program grant that will assist agriculture producers and rural small businesses in Oklahoma with energy audits to reduce energy waste and increase productivity. Additional information on this program can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-america-program-energy-audit-renewable-energy-development-assistance-grants.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. To learn more, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/ok.