Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Bette Brand today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding grants for projects in all states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to reduce energy costs for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions.
"Lowering energy costs helps rural businesses improve their bottom line and create jobs,” Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to increasing economic development in America's rural communities through strong partnerships because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”USDA
Under today’s announcement, USDA is investing $9.3 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the nation. Congress appropriated $50 million for REAP grants and loan guarantees in fiscal year 2019. USDA will make additional funding announcements in the REAP program in coming weeks.
Recipients can use REAP funding for a variety of needs, such as conducting energy audits and installing renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. Funds also can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration. Listed below are a few examples of how farmers, rural business owners and institutions are making investments in their operations through REAP.
Below are the investments announced today in rural New Jersey:
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A.T. Buzby Farm LLC in Woodstown, N.J. will use the $15,966 grant to purchase and install a 33.11-kilowatt roof-mounted photovoltaic solar system. The farm produces fruits, vegetables, flowers and trees. By installing this renewable energy system, the farm will eliminate utility bills. This system is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than three homes.
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Hopewell Valley Vineyards LLC in Pennington, N.J. will use a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 33.5-kilowatt, roof-mounted solar array. The winery will realize a $9,308 per year savings make the winery self-sufficient after the first year of operation.
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Rastelli Ranch LLC in Mickleton, N.J. will use a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 60-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on the roof of their barn. The farm is a livestock producer located in Gloucester County, N.J. Their projected energy saving from this project equates to $11,308 energy savings per year.
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Shulman Enterprises Inc in Mount Holly, N.J. will use a $20,000 grant to purchase and install an 18-kilowatt roof-mount solar array. This project will generate more than 25,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year. The boarding and grooming facility will reduce their utility bill by more than 92% per year.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.