The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky announced today, in honor of Earth Day 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture is investing over $2 million in environmentally conscious projects.
These 14 investments – made through the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program – will help communities across the commonwealth build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship.
“When we invest in accessible and modern climate-smart infrastructure in rural communities, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson. “The investments we are announcing today demonstrate how the Biden-Harris administration has put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions.”
Jessamine County Water District No. 1 will use a $1 million loan to increase water line capacity and install 500 radio meters. These measures will improve flow, eliminate line breaks, improve system operation and provide a safe and dependable water supply for rural customers in Jessamine county.
The City of Falmouth will use a $395,000 loan and a $131,000 grant to construct a wet weather basin and repaint both the interior and exterior of a 250,000-gallon water tank. These actions will clear existing violations, helping ensure a safe and sanitary means of waste disposal and a dependable water supply for residents in Pendleton County.
John E. Rehmeyer will use a $5,343 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a 9.72 kW photovoltaic array system, which will realize $1,151.65 per year in savings and will replace 10,594 kWh.
Barr Farms Organic Produce LLC will use a $9,526 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a 23.30 kW photovoltaic array system, which will realize $2,670.72 per year in energy generation and will replace 22,256 kWh.
Lanmark Farm LLC will use a $15,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a two, eight kW photovoltaic array systems, which will realize $2,340.38 per year in energy generation and will replace 20,602 kWh.
Red River Harvest Inn will use a $2,500 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a 6.375 kW photovoltaic array system, which will realize $744.65 per year in energy generation and will replace 8,238 kWh.
Michael Anthony Frasca will use a $4,243 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a 5.18 kW photovoltaic array system, which will realize $552.97 per year in energy generation and will replace 6,772 kWh.
Red River Gorgeous LLC will use a $9,953 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a 19.98 kW photovoltaic array system, which will realize $1,693.97 per year in energy generation and will replace 19,320 kWh.
Sunhouse Craft LLC will use a $5,332 Rural Energy for America Program grant to make energy efficiency improvements (LED lighting, roof, and wall and ceiling insulation), which will realize $805.44 per year in savings and will save 11,070 kWh per year.
Longview Estate Inc. will use a $13,389 Rural Energy for America Program grant to make energy efficiency improvements (LED lighting, roof and crawl space insulation, and HVAC replacement), which will realize $5,210 per year in savings and will save 52,032 kWh (54.83 percent) per year.
Maxon Inc. will use a $17,071 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a 41.58 kW photovoltaic array system, which will realize $5,581.43 per year in energy generation and will replace 50,972 kWh.
Vantage Engineering PLC will use a $10,977 Rural Energy for America Program grant for the purchase and installation of a 25.02 kW photovoltaic array system, which will realize $3,156.01 per year in energy generation and will replace 34,885 kWh.
Fibonacci LLC will use a $20,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant to make energy efficiency improvements to their dryer and oven at their hemp wood manufacturing facility. This project will realize $12,731.90 per year in savings and will save 337,386 kWh (38.4 percent) per year.
Owensboro Grain Company will use a $417,000 Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program grant to overhaul the current loadout system to minimize wait times and increase the throughput of biodiesel by updating the rail system and installing a new truck loadout station, including scales, updated containment, control shack, and automation at one location in Kentucky. This project predicts to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 3.9 million gallons per year.
Also announced today were investments in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, 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.
The USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In 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.