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USDA Invests $740K in Grants for Critical Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change in Rural Pennsylvania

Name
Daniel Blottenberger
Email
Daniel.Blottenberger@usda.gov
City
Harrisburg
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director Bob Morgan today announced USDA Rural Development is investing more than $740,000 in grants to support critical infrastructure and to combat climate change in rural Pennsylvania.

“These 16 projects represent Pennsylvania’s diverse rural economy and will strengthen its resilience,” Morgan said. “The Biden-Harris Administration has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure. The investments we’re announcing today and those that will be made possible by historic funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will strengthen our energy security, create good-paying jobs, and save money on energy costs.”

The 16 projects include two Community Facility Disaster Grant awards: 

  • The Town of Bloomsburg in Columbia County received a $500,000 grant to repave four parking lots in the town. The aging infrastructure needs major repairs. Improvements of these lots will impact more than 30 businesses that are within a block radius of the proposed project.
  • The Eagles Mere Borough Authority in Sullivan County received a $46,700 grant to purchase and install one backup generator at each of its two pumping stations. The current backup generators require a manual start if they are needed, necessitating an operator to be present. The new equipment will allow the township to provide a more reliable service to the community.

In addition, 14 Rural Energy for America Program projects received investments:

  • Vacuum Process Inc., in Bedford County received a $8,825 grant to install more energy-efficient insulation, ceiling fans and propane tube heaters. The small vacuum systems and thermal process equipment manufacturing company has been in business since 1991. It is going to expand its manufacturing area to include a 6,000-square-foot steel walled building that was previously used for storage into a full-time manufacturing space that requires a temperature-controlled environment. This project is expected to save $547 per year and will save 6,910 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year which is 96 percent of the company's energy use. 
  • Goot Essa LLC in Centre County received a $7,912 grant to upgrade its current solar system with the installation of additional ground-mounted solar panels as well as adding three lithium batteries and a higher watt inverter. The family-owned business that began in 2001 produces high quality cheeses. This project is expected to save the business approximately $16,800 in diesel costs per year.
  • Three Rivers Grown LLC in Clarion County received a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 32-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The company manages the aggregation, sale and distribution of quality food from small farms and food producers located within 250 miles of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to local grocery stores. The solar panels will be installed on the roof of its distribution building. This project is expected to save approximately $4,200 per year and will replace 37,368 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 3 homes annually.
  • Clugston Farms LLC in Dauphin County received a $20,000 grant to and install a 62.9-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the main farm building on the family-owned poultry farm in Halifax, Pennsylvania. This project is expected to save approximately $7,400 per year and will replace 84,647 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 7 homes annually.
  • Troyer Growers Inc., in Erie County received a $11,654 grant to purchase and install a 28-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The company produces potatoes, wheat, field corn and soybeans in northwestern Pennsylvania. The solar panels will be installed on the farm's barn roof. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $1,600 per year and will replace 29,252 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is approximately 20 percent of the farm's energy use.
  • Mat Plaza LLC in Huntingdon County received a $12,410 grant to purchase and install a 29.2-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the retail shopping center. The shopping center, located in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, consists of 25,400 square feet of office and retail space. This project is expected to save approximately $4,200 per year and will replace 35,186 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 3 homes annually.
  • Anthony Ricci dba Green Heron Farm in Huntingdon County received a $8,500 grant to purchase and install a 10.53-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The solar panels will be installed on farm's barn roof. Green Heron Farm is a family-owned 5-acre farm growing and selling organic produce since 1984. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $1,500 per year and will replace 12,071 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year which is 105 percent of the farm's energy use.
  • McClarigan CPA’s & Advisors in Lancaster County received a $15,000 grant purchase and install a 38.4-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Mr. Kevin McClarigan originally started the company in 1993 as a sole proprietorship and it has since grown into a firm that serves construction, manufacturing, retail and wholesale, agricultural, service industries and individual clients. The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the firm. This project is expected to save the business approximately $4,000 per year and will replace 44,675 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 4 homes annually.
  • Frosty Hollow Farms LLC in Lancaster County received a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 65.28-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Frosty Hollow Farms LLC offers its community farm fresh products and livestock. The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the primary barn building located on the farm. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $7,900 per year and will replace 73,801 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year which is approximately 93 percent of the farm's energy use.
  • The Allegheny Bradford Corporation received a $18,924 grant to Corporation purchase and replace all the lighting throughout its three facilities located in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania with more energy-efficient LED lighting. Allegheny Bradford Corporation manufactures and provides stainless steel solutions to multiple industries including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food & beverage, chemical and electronic processing. This project is expected to lower the company's energy use by 35 percent and save approximately $12,000 in electrical costs per year.
  • Kriebel Security Inc. dba Czarstar Security in Montgomery County received a $12,877 grant to purchase and install a 24.45-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the business, which specializes in providing security system sales and service for residential, commercial and banking institutions for over the past 30 years. This project is expected to save the business approximately $2,400 per year and will replace 27,636 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year which is approximately 96 percent of the company's energy use.
  • Kelly RV Inc. in Union County received a $11,000 grant to purchase and install a 15.2-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Kelly RV Inc. is a family-owned recreational vehicle sales business operating since 1957. The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the service bay. This project is expected to save the business approximately $1,700 per year and will replace 18,635 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year which is 114 percent of its energy use.
  • Michael L. Wilt dba Cedar Grove Farm in Westmoreland County received a $13,398 grant to purchase and install a more energy efficient Sukup continuous flow grain dryer. Michael L. Wilt dba Cedar Grove Farm is a 5th generation family farm that custom raises pigs, beef cows and various crops. This project is expected to save $8,433 per year and will replace 110,024 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 10 homes.
  • Maple Lawn Entertainment Inc. dba Maize Quest in York County received a $15,000 grant purchase and install a 78.72-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The solar panels will be installed on the main farm building's south roof. Maple Lawn Entertainment Inc. dba Maize Quest is a hybrid farm/business offering pick-your-own fruit while also providing farming education to its visitors. This project is expected to save approximately $8,100 per year and will replace 81,369 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 7 homes annually.

These investments reflect the goals of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which addresses immediate economic needs and includes the largest ever federal investment in clean energy for the future. For example, the Act includes $14 billion in funding for USDA programs that support the expansion of biofuels and help rural businesses and electric cooperatives transition to renewable energy and zero-emission systems.

You can learn more about this announcement from our national press release here.

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