Projects Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Strengthen West Virginia Farms and Rural Small Businesses
MORGANTOWN, W.Va., June 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development West Virginia State Director Ryan Thorn today announced that USDA is investing $166,955 through the Rural Energy for America Program to lower energy bills for West Virginia farmers, agricultural producers, and rural small businesses.
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.
“West Virginia farmers and rural small businesses continue to benefit from President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act,” said Thorn. “It’s just another example of this administration’s commitment to growing the economy from the bottom up and middle out. The investments will lower costs for these agriculture producers and rural small businesses allowing them to reinvest in their business and increase the resiliency of their operation.”
In total, Rural Development is funding seven projects across West Virginia through the Rural Energy for America Program.
Cabell County
Huntington Steel & Supply will use a $4,600 REAP grant to purchase and install new heating and air conditioning units. This project will realize $3,210 a year in savings and will save 31,163 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually.
Hardy County
MTM Worldwide will use a $10,586 REAP grant to purchase and install a 6.8 kilowatt (kW) solar array. MTM Worldwide is a warehousing business located in Hardy County. This project will realize $1,001 per year in savings and will generate 8,717 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year (96 percent of energy being replaced), which is enough electricity to power one home.
McDowell County
Bennady’s will use a $19,879 REAP grant to purchase and install a 13.4-kW solar array. This project will realize $827 per year in savings and will generate 13,776 kWh per year (99% of energy being replaced), which is enough electricity to power one home.
Mineral County
MJW Farm will use a $7,000 REAP grant to upgrade a solid-sided greenhouse with thermostatically controlled greenhouse roll-up sides. This project will realize $692 a year in savings and will save 5,890 kWh annually.
Monongalia County
West Virginia University will use a $100,000 REAP grant to conduct approximately 60 energy audits for rural small businesses and agricultural producers throughout the state of West Virginia. These audits will provide analysis to make energy-efficiency improvements to these operations.
Morgan County
Colin Williams will use a $12,930 REAP grant to purchase and install a 7.6-kW solar array for The Artist Studio Mountain Retreat in Morgan County owned by Colin Williams. This project will replace $1,349 and generate 11,928 kWh annually, which is enough electricity to power one home.
Pendleton County
McCoy House Bed and Breakfast will use a $12,000 REAP grant to purchase and install a 7.6-kW solar array. This project will replace $1,800 and generate 7,768 kWh annually, which is enough electricity to power one home.
Background
These investments are part of a larger $375 million announcement made today by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. That announcement included hundreds of projects across the nation which are being funding through REAP and the Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program (PACE). Both of these programs are part of the President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy and other investment areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. A complete list of all REAP projects in the announcement can be found online.
USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” to help rural communities interested in energy efficiency and clean energy generation.
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.
These investments will cut energy costs for family farms and other businesses, increasing their resiliency and allowing them to invest back into their communities by creating new jobs and other opportunities.
Since the start of the Biden Administration, Rural Development has invested more than $11 million through REAP in 140 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Those projects will help West Virginia farmers, agriculture producers and rural business owners lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resiliency of their operations.
Rural Development continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information, contact West Virginia’s Rural Development Energy Coordinator Robertho Briceno at 681-247-3007.
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