United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the Department is investing $633 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. As part of the Build Back Better agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in rural communities, creating good-paying jobs and combating the climate crisis top priorities. In the Rural Development jurisdiction of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, a total of $28,119,220 has been invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” Vilsack said. “President Biden has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs. With the Build Back Better agenda, USDA will be able to fund more and more critical projects like those announced today in the coming months and years.”
USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Liz Gariepy said, “The businesses and organizations receiving funding are stepping up to incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency into their operations, showing the public they care about the environment and creating a sustainable future for rural communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.”
The following Connecticut businesses are receiving funding:
- N. Casertano Greenhouses & Farms, Inc., located in Cheshire, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant in the amount of $101,538.
- White Flower Farm, Inc., located in Torrington, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant in the amount of $214,126.
- Hastings Farm, LLC, located in Suffield, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $59,391.
- Prides Corner Farms, Inc., located in Lebanon, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $50,945.
- Connecticut will benefit from a Higher Blends Infrastructure Innovation Program Grant in the amount of $1,765,220 to Sapp Bros Petroleum Inc. located in Enfield. Other states benefiting are NE, WY, and CO.
The following Massachusetts businesses are receiving funding:
- Belden Ag Grid, LLC, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $140,445 to improve an Anerobic Digestor located in Hatfield.
- Marshall Street Solar, LLC, located in Dexter, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program guaranteed loan of $25,000,000.
- Little Leaf Farm, LLC, located in Devens, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $38,471.
- Central Rivers Power Massachusetts, LLC is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $217,584 to improve a hydroelectric facility in Buckland.
- Oiva Hannula & Sons, Inc., located in Carver, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $49,500.
The following Rhode Island businesses are receiving funding:
- Rhode Island RC&D Area Council, Inc., located in Johnston, is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $100,000.
- Hartford Pike Solar, LLC is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $250,000 for a photovoltaic solar system in Forster.
- Hartford Pike Solar II, LLC is receiving a Rural Energy for America Program grant of $132,000 for a photovoltaic solar system in Forster.
Background:
Vilsack highlighted 793 investments that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Electric Loan Program, Rural Energy for America Program, Rural Energy Savings Program, and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
The funding will help people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure and social service needs.
These investments will help build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. They will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. They will also help transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers by sharing the costs to install fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure.
Secretary Vilsack made the announcement from Saubel’s Markets in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, on Friday, which will receive a $103,413 USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant. With this funding, the small business will install solar panels on the roof of their family-owned grocery store that has been in business since the 1960s. This project is expected to save $30,852 per year and will replace 395,539 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 36 homes annually. As part of today’s announcement, Pennsylvania will receive more than $1 million for 22 projects across the state.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our 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, ensuring access to 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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