DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 15, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced the Department is investing $2,836,344 in critical infrastructure to combat climate change and expand access to clean energy across rural Iowa. The investments include 131 projects funded by Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants.
“At USDA, we invest in climate-smart renewable energy to improve the environment in our rural Iowa neighborhoods,” said Director Greenfield. “With the leadership of President Biden, Vice-President Harris and Secretary Vilsack, the Rural Energy for America Program is helping to lower energy costs for agricultural producers and support locally-driven solutions to retain and create jobs.”
Today’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement detailing $285 million in critical infrastructure throughout rural America.
View the list of 131 Iowa REAP grant recipients here. Two examples of projects are:
-Western Iowa Energy is receiving a $250,000 grant to help retrofit a biodiesel production facility near Wall Lake in Sac County. Western Iowa Energy LLC is an existing biodiesel company located in rural western Iowa. This project is expected to generate an additional 15 million gallons of biodiesel per year and will be enough fuel to power 22,000 vehicles annually.
-Record Printing Company Inc. of Story City, a printing business in Story County, is receiving a $45,551 grant to install roof insulation at its facility. This project is expected to save $3,700 per year and will save 153,177 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 14 homes.
USDA also announced today that it will make $300 million available under the Rural Energy for America Program to expand renewable energy and support energy-efficiency projects for people living in rural America. This funding includes $250 million provided by the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic legislative package known as the Inflation Reduction Act. The deadline to apply for grants is March 31, 2023. Applications for technical assistance grants are due Jan. 31, 2023. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local USDA Rural Development State Energy Coordinator well in advance of the application deadlines to discuss their project and ask any questions about the REAP program or the application process.
Contact USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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.
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