BOZEMAN, Mont., July 26, 2024 –USDA Rural Development Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy costs through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program.
“USDA’s energy programs are working to help rural Montanans adopt clean and efficient energy options,” said Williams. “We are so pleased our partnerships with the Montana Department of Agriculture and the National Center for Appropriate Technology are expanding our reach and helping more people access this funding to make their lives, our economy, and our environment better.”
Under the REAP Technical Assistance Grant, Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) and National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) are awarded additional funding to continue providing technical service. To date, the technical assistance provided by these partners has resulted in 25 applications received by Montana staff under REAP. Sixty percent of these received applications are from distressed or disadvantaged communities.
MDA is receiving a $250,000 grant to provide technical assistance for REAP applicants, agricultural producers, and rural small businesses. MDA has established 11 Food and Agriculture Development Centers across the state to partner on the project and reach hundreds of potential applicants.
NCAT is also receiving a nearly $250,000 grant to provide technical assistance for REAP applicants within Native American Reservations. NCAT will work with Montana Renewable Energy Association, Native American Community Development Corporation, Inc. and Native American Development Corporation to help applicants with USDA Rural Development’s REAP process.
The following recipients worked with MDA and NCAT to secure REAP funding because of their technical assistance partnership with USDA Rural Development:
- Rae Ventures LLC dba Campbells’ Plumbing and Heating in Belgrade is receiving a $88,037 grant to purchase and install a 73.153 kW roof-mounted solar system. The business expects to save nearly $10,000 in energy costs per year with this installation.
- Holden’s Hot Wheels in Havre will use a $44,365 grant to purchase and install a 38.4 kilowatt (kW) solar array, which is expected to save the business nearly $7,000 per year in utility costs.
- Thornton Labs Inc. will use a $98,625 grant to purchase and install energy efficient lighting and insulation at its Butte The business anticipates this installation will save $11,600 in energy costs per year.
- Bickford Building LLC in Polson will use a $18,700 grant to purchase and install a 16.6 kW solar system and a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a new efficient HVAC system. These investments are expected to save up to $2,500 in annual energy costs.
- Browns Meadow Farm LLC in Kila will use a $23,450 grant to purchase and install a 19.68 kW solar system and a $3,586 grant to install energy efficient insulation. These two investments will help the cattle and hay ranch save about $1,900 per year in energy expenses.
- Two Moose Ventures LLC in Whitefish is receiving a $19,719 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with new windows, doors, and an HVAC system. These upgrades are expected to save about 43 percent of its historic utility bills.
The following Montana businesses are also receiving REAP funding:
- McCone Electric Cooperative Inc. in Circle will use a $54,029 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to its HVAC system and doors. This utility provider expects to save about $3,200 per year in utility costs.
- Ad Evans Enterprises Inc. is receiving a $258,409 grant to purchase and install solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays for Evans Ace Hardware in Hamilton. It’s expected this project will save about $22,000 in annual energy costs.
- Wild Horse Vista Properties LLC in Dayton will use a $85,299 grant to purchase and install solar panels to save up to $6,323 in annual energy costs for this short-term lodging business.
- Pioneer Technical Services Inc., headquartered in Butte, is receiving a $74,517 grant to purchase and install a 60.83 kW roof-mounted solar system at its location in Helena. This installation is expected to replace 46 percent of the location’s annual energy consumption.
- Timber and Tree Care Enterprises LLC, which provides tree services in Boulder, will use a $15,851 grant to purchase and install a 13.32 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. It’s expected this will generate enough electricity to power two homes and save about $2,300 in annual energy costs.
- 4S of Butte LLC dba Steel’s Furniture in Butte, will use a $72,320 grant to purchase and install a 60 kW roof-mounted solar system. This project is expected to save about $9,300 in annual energy costs.
REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to 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 and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.
These investments are included in a national announcement in which USDA shared it is investing $163 million in loans, grants and technical assistance that will support 338 clean energy projects in 39 States and Guam. 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 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/mt. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page