Projects Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Strengthen American Farms and Rural Small Businesses
RALEIGH, N.C., June 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is partnering with rural Americans on hundreds of clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to clean energy and create jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” to make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy, including programs made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.
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.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to expanding access to modern clean energy systems and fueling options that strengthen the nation’s energy independence while creating good-paying jobs and saving rural Americans money,” Secretary Vilsack said. “We are excited to partner with hundreds more family farms and small businesses as well as rural electric cooperatives and local clean energy developers to address the impacts of climate change, grow the economy and keep rural communities throughout the country strong and resilient.”
“North Carolina is receiving $373,894 in grant funding through Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support Six projects in North Carolina,” said North Carolina USDA Rural Development State Director Mr. Reginald Speight “USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.”
For example:
- In Moore County, the Ring Family Farm will use a $72,108 grant to make energy efficient improvements to their poultry farm operation. Funds will be used to install heating and cooling upgrades within the poultry houses. This project will save $7,002 per year and will replace 28,100 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year and 6.530 gallons of propane, which is enough electricity to power two homes.
- In Wilkes County, the Wagoner Farm LLC will use a $95,245 grant to develop a renewable energy system for their poultry operations. They will purchase and install a 88.6 kilowatt (KW) solar array. This project will save the business $13,262 per year and will replace 132,621 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 12 homes.
- In Buncombe County, Land and Sky Regional Council will use a $98,910 grant to conduct approximately 34 energy audits for rural small businesses and agricultural producers throughout North Carolina. These audits will provide analysis to make energy-efficiency improvements to these operations.
- In Durham County, Triangle Dermatology Associates PA will use a $13,000 grant to purchase and install a 7.2 kilowatt (kW) solar array on their business operation. This project will replace 10,505 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year and realize $1,156 of savings per year.
- In Granville County, Leela Life Sciences LLC will use a $30,650 grant to purchase and install a 15.0 kilowatt (kW) solar array. The drug store will realize $2,053 per year in savings and will replace 17,111 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. This project will save enough electricity to power one home
- In Orange County, Fatwood Studio LLC will use a $63,981 grant to purchase and install a 30.8 kilowatt (KW) solar array on the business operation. This project will generate 44,623 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year and realize $4,016 of saving per year.
USDA is also making the REAP awards in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.1 billion through REAP in 7,216 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners’ lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.
USDA 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 a local energy coordinator.
A complete list of all REAP projects can be found online.
Background: Rural Energy Resource Guide
Today, USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” which will make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy, including programs made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.
The guide showcases USDA Rural Development programs that are helping individuals and organizations finance renewable energy systems and infrastructure across rural America. Programs featured in the guide offer funding to:
- Make energy-efficient home repairs.
- Finance small- or large-scale energy infrastructure.
- Fund energy efficiency equipment for business and industry.
- Generate emergency energy in rural areas.
- Produce clean energy from sources such as biobased materials.
The Rural Energy Resource Guide also includes stories from Rural Development customers on ways USDA programs and services have helped them meet their clean energy needs. 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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