NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2021 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. Tennessee Rural Development Acting State Director Dan Beasley is pleased to announce more than $63,900 in grant investments is being made to rural Tennessee businesses and ag producers.
"Lowering energy costs is significant in improving and creating jobs for rural businesses,” Beasley said. “We are committed to increasing economic development in Tennessee's rural communities through strong partnerships.”
USDA is financing $129 million of these investments through the Rural Energy for America Program. This program provides funding to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. These climate-smart investments will conserve and generate more than 379 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) in rural America, which equates to enough electricity to power 35,677 homes per year.
USDA is financing $335 million of these investments through the Electric Loan Program. The loans will help build or improve 1,432 miles of line to strengthen reliability in rural areas. The loans include $102 million for investments in smart grid technology, which uses digital communications to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage.
The department is announcing investments today in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.
In Tennessee:
- Ashland Holdings LLC will use a $11,250 grant to help purchase and install a 12-kilowatt roof-mounted solar array. This investment will save $1,529.06 per year in energy savings and replace 14,925 kilowatt hours per year.
- Wildlight Farms LLC will use a $4,197 grant to help purchase and install a 10.5-kilowatt solar array. This project will replace 12,940 kilowatt hours (100 percent) per year and realize $1,229 of savings per year.
- Lick Skillet LLC will use a $6,975 grant to help purchase and install a 5.5-kilowatt solar array. This investment will save $803.57 per year and replace 31,679 kilowatt hours (24.16 percent) per year. This project will save enough electricity to power one home.
- Souza Farms will use a $11,013 grant to purchase and install a 7.6 kW roof mounted solar array at Souza Farms. Mr. Souza has a small family farm with goats, chickens, and pigs. This project will generate 10,089 kilowatt hours per year which is enough to power one home and produce $1,211 of savings per year.
- Counce Farms will use a $20,000 grant to help purchase and install a grain dryer. This project will save $6,132 per year., and will replace 130,994 kilowatt hours (59 percent) per year, which is enough energy to power seven homes.
- Dover Auto Body will use a $10,500 grant to help purchase and install a 17.05-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. The project will replace 23,806 kilowatt hours (97 percent) per year and save $2,857 per year; enough electricity to power two homes.
To learn more about these and other resources for rural areas, contact a USDA Rural Development state office.
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/tn. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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