U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced over $670,000 in grants awarded to 11 recipients in Kentucky.
The grants announced today will help farmers and rural small businesses expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program.
“This administration continues to support rural Kentucky’s small businesses and farmers as they drive economic prosperity in their communities,” said Carew. “These investments will help expand clean energy while reducing energy costs. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA Rural Development continues to make investments that help build the economy from the bottom up and the middle out.”
Barr Farms Organic Produce LLC (Breckinridge County) will use a $14,938 grant to purchase and install a 5.92-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $534 per year in energy costs and generate 5,464 kilowatt hours of energy per year.
The Extra Mile LLC (Pike County) will use a $39,247 grant to install two new 5-ton, 16.5 SEER heat pumps, add additional insulation in the attic, add open-cell insulation to exterior walls, and replace siding with new wood sheeting. The project is expected to save $2,590 per year in energy costs and save 20,867 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 1.92 homes.
Canup Inc. (Jessamine County) will use a $7,835 grant to purchase and install a 5.33-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $580 per year in energy costs and generate 7,349 kilowatt hours of energy per year.
Westside Farms LLC (Pulaski County) will use a $90,745 grant to make energy efficiency improvements by installing a new GSI 1218 grain dryer. This project is expected to save $5,189 per year. This system will save 22,990 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.
Denali Stud Inc. (Bourbon County) will use a $17,502 grant to purchase and install a 12.3-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $1,077 per year in energy costs and generate 14,354 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 1.32 homes.
Stephen J. Powers (Hancock County) will use an $11,000 grant to purchase and install a 7.2-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $1,204 per year in energy costs and generate 9,580 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 0.88 homes.
Thermalcell Insulation Inc. (Webster County) will use a $14,444 grant to purchase and install a 10.8-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $1,327 per year in energy costs and generate 12,060 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 1.11 homes.
Castle’s Properties Inc. (Johnson County) will use a $228,844 grant to purchase and install a 54-kilowatt solar system, a 53.46-kilowatt solar system, and a 54-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $30,533 per year in energy costs and generate 219,822 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power 20 homes.
Outland Farms LLC (Christian County) will use a $137,250 grant to install a Neco D1690 grain dryer. This project is expected to save $4,773 per year. This system will save 17,521 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power 1.61 homes.
Marlin David Miller (Franklin County) will use a $92,395 grant to install a GSI Q226 grain dryer. This project is expected to save $21,902 per year. This system will save 8,389 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power 0.77 homes.
Solar Energy Living LLC (Laurel County) will use a $16,065 grant to purchase and install a 14.4-kilowatt solar system with 56.8-kilowatt hours of battery storage. The project is expected to generate 19,810 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 1.82 homes.
During the Biden-Harris administration, USDA Rural Development has supported economic prosperity and quality of life improvements in rural Kentucky by obligating over $3.3 billion. 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ky.