Investments Will Make Rural Communities More Energy Independent and Resilient
RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 06, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Bronaugh today announced the Department is investing $141 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities in North Carolina. With the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and as part of the broader 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.
“There is no question that rural America is feeling the impact of climate change, and our communities desperately need investments that will strengthen our resilience,” said Bronaugh. “That’s why, since day one, addressing the climate crisis and ensuring families aren’t left vulnerable to its impacts has been a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. The enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support USDA’s critical work in this effort in many ways, including by expanding investments in critical projects like those announced today that will help rural communities build climate resilience, expand access to renewable energy infrastructure, create new jobs and Build Back Better.”
“USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses across North Carolina purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight. “These investments are an example of USDA’s commitment to financing rural infrastructure, embracing renewable energy and supporting America’s path to energy independence.”
Background:
Bronaugh highlighted 43 investments that USDA is making in two specifically designed areas to help people and businesses in rural areas in the state. These programs include Rural Energy for America Program, and the Rural Energy Savings Program.
The funding 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.
Investments include:
Rural Energy for America Program
• 233 Randolph 74 Solar I, LLC will use a $2 million loan to purchase and install a 2.61-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 4 million-kilowatt in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 367 homes.
• Atlantic Seafood Company will use a $106 thousand grant to purchase and install refrigeration equipment. This project will replace 493 thousand kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power 45 homes.
• Banner Solar, LLC will use a $5.8 million loan to purchase and install a 6.45-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 11 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power one thousand homes.
• Bluebird Farm, LLC, will use a $6 thousand grant to purchase and install a 9.3-kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 10 thousand kilowatt hours per year.
• Bre NC Solar 3, LLC will use a $5 million loan to purchase and install 6.70-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 11 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power one thousand homes.
• Brick City Solar, LLC will use a $5 million loan to purchase and install a 6.57-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 10 million kWh in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 930 homes.
• Broadway Road Solar, LLC will use a $2.3 million loan to purchase and install a 2.80-megawatts solar system. The system is estimated to produce four thousand kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 429 homes.
• Cabin Creek Solar, LLC will use a $25 million loan to purchase and install a 98.28-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 175 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 16 thousand homes.
• Clear Run Farms, Inc. will use a $97 thousand grant to purchase and install a 232.5 kilowatts solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 32 homes.
• Clement Swift will use a $5 thousand grant to purchase and install a 10.2-kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 15 thousand kilowatt hours per year.
• Coogee Solar, LLC will use a $5.8 million loan to purchase and install a 6.57-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 11 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power one thousand homes.
• Cruise Solar, LLC will use a $1.7 million loan to purchase and install a 2.81-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce four thousand kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 368 homes.
• D&L Family Farm, LLC will use a $58 thousand grant to purchase and install a 221.7-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 20 homes.
• Darlington Solar, LLC will use a $2 million loan to purchase and install a 2.65-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce three million kilowatts hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 354 homes.
• David Shane Edmonds will use a $12 thousand grant to purchase and install a 15.3 kilo-watt solar array. This project will generate 23 thousand kilo-watts per year.
• Fresh Air Energy XI, LLC will use a $5.7 million loan to purchase and install a 6.50-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 11 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power one thousand homes.
• Fresh Air Energy XXXII, LLC will use a $12 million loan to purchase and install a 22.27-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 33 million kilowatt hours in year one, which is enough electricity to power 3 thousand homes.
• James C. Moore will use a $25 thousand grant to purchase and install a 61.5-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power nine homes.
• Jarman Farms will use a $19 thousand grant to purchase and install a center pivot irrigation system. This project will save $2 thousand per year in savings will save enough electricity to power 32 homes.
• Jazac Farms, LLC will use a $114 thousand grant to purchase and instal a 272.3-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 39 homes.
• Jin Poultry, LLC will use a $185 thousand grant to purchase and install a 503-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 79 homes.
• JWWilson Company will use a $8 thousand grant to purchase and install a 12.8 kilo-watt solar array. This project will generate 16 thousand kilo-watt per year.
• Karen Holcomb will use a $10 thousand grant to purchase and install a 9.9-kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 14 thousand kilowatt hours per year.
• Lindsey C. Austin will use a $94 thousand grant to purchase and install a 292.5 kilowatts solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 33 homes.
• Lester Ray Copeland will use a $18 thousand grant to purchase and install a grain dryer. This project will replace 223 thousand kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power 20 homes.
• Lick Creek Solar, LLC will use a $25 million loan to purchase and install a 70 mega-watt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 116 million kilo watt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 10 thousand homes.
• Ming Poultry, LLC will use a $193 thousand grant to purchase and install a 523-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 73 homes.
• Parr Golf, LLC will use a $20 thousand grant to purchase and install an irrigation pump system. This project will replace 66 thousand kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes.
• Phobos Solar, LLC will use a $25 million loan to purchase and install a 110.32-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 195 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 17 thousand homes.
• Poole Farms, Inc. will use a $20 thousand grant to purchase and install a grain dryer. This project will replace 60 thousand kilowatt hours per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.
• Richlands Solar, LLC will use a $1.7 million loan to purchase and install a 2.65-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce four thousand kilowatt hours in it first year, which is enough electricity to power 367 homes.
• R-J International, Inc. will use a $13 thousand grant to purchase and install a 18.7 kilowatt solar array. This project will generate 27 thousand kilowatt hours per year.
• Rosin Hill Swine Farm, Inc. will use a $15 thousand grant to purchase and install of a center pivot irrigation system. This project will save enough electricity to power four homes.
• Song Poultry, LLC will use a $194 thousand grant to purchase and install a 525-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 73 homes.
• Spring Hope Solar 2, LLC will use a $6 million loan to purchase and install a seven-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 10 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 959 homes.
• Sweet Poultry, LLC will use a $191 thousand grant to purchase and install a 518 kilowatts solar array. This project will replace 792 thousand hours per year. This project will save enough electricity to power 72 homes.
• Tang Poultry LLC will use a $189 thousand grant to purchase and install a 518-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 69 homes.
• Tri-State Ford, Inc. will use a $50 thousand grant to purchase and install a 99-kilowatt solar array. This project will replace 140 thousand kilowatt hours. This project will save enough electricity to power 13 homes.
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte will use a $63 thousand grant to promote renewable energy development assistance to poultry producers.
• WYSE Fork Solar Farm, LLC will use a $2 million grant to purchase and install a 2.60-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 4 million kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 405 homes.
• Young Poultry, LLC will use a $170 thousand grant to purchase and install a 462-kilowatt solar array. This project will save enough electricity to power 64 homes.
Rural Energy Saving Program
• Roanoke EMC will use a $6 million Rural Energy Savings Program loan to finance an energy efficiency relending program to fund projects such as replacing lighting, HVAC systems and water heaters, as well as installing electric vehicle charging systems.
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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