COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced today funding for 22 projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which helps Ohio farmers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to lower their costs.
“Ohio farm families and small businesses – many of which have thrived for generations – are the foundation of our rural communities,” said McCracken. “The Rural Energy for America Program is about helping agricultural producers and businesses reduce their energy costs and lower utility bills and reinvest in their operations. These investments underscore USDA’s enduring commitment to investing and creating jobs in rural Ohio and helping farms and small businesses reduce their energy costs while ensuring they are part of the clean energy transition.”
In addition to investing in REAP projects, USDA also invested nearly $600,000 through the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant (REAP TAG) program which provides grant recipients with resources so they can offer technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses applying for funding through REAP.
During the current fiscal year that began October 1, 2024, USDA has awarded more than $11.4 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to 68 Ohio small businesses and agricultural producers to invest in renewable energy or energy efficient systems. REAP recipients are eligible for up to 50% grant for qualifying projects.
Recent REAP grant recipients in Ohio are:
Rindler Poultry, LLC in St. Henry, Ohio, received a $938,834 grant to purchase and install an 838-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $173,021 in annual anergy costs and generate 1,042,498 kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power 103 homes.
Pax Machine Works, Inc. in Celina, Ohio received an $896,750 grant to purchase and install an 803.16-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. The project is expected to save this business $339.866 in annual energy costs and generate 996,717 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year, offsetting 38 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
RDC Investments in Medina, Ohio, received a $679,912 grant to purchase and install a 676-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $106,200 in annual energy costs and generate 1,062,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power ninety-eight homes and offsetting 82 percent of this flooring company’s annual energy consumption.
Nature Pure, LLC in West Mansfield, Ohio received a $321,150 grant to purchase and install a 322-kilowatt (kW) ground and roof mounted solar array at Nature Pure, LLC in West Mansfield, Ohio. This project is expected to save this egg layer and processing facility $28,530 in annual energy costs and generate 401,824 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 37 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset nearly 55 percent of the annual energy consumption.
Pettit’s Market in Williamsport Ohio, received a $267,663 grant to purchase and install energy efficient roofing, racking and refrigeration. This project is expected to save the business $7,749 in annual energy costs and save 131,997 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 12 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 15 percent of the business energy consumption annually.
Meiring Poultry Farm, LLC in Fort Recovery, Ohio, received a $192,072 grant to purchase and install a 131.2-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the farm $55,061 in annual energy costs and generate 192,076 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 38 percent of the farm’s annual energy consumption.
H.D. Grain Farms in Whitehouse, Ohio, received a $156,892 grant to replace an inefficient grain dryer with an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the business $21,053 in annual energy costs and save 413,025 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 38 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 50 percent of the business energy consumption annually.
Coleman Mitchell in London, Ohio, received a $132,037 grant to replace an inefficient grain dryer with an energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save his business $18,773 in annual energy costs and save 358,924 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 33 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 63 percent of the business energy consumption annually.
Witten’s Produce Patch, Inc. in Lowell, Ohio received a $123,562 grant to purchase and install a 141.7-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $24,966 in annual energy costs and generate 166,437 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 15 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 111 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
Charles Theis of Tiffin, Ohio, received an $89,993 grant to purchase an energy efficient grain dryer for his small farm. This energy efficiency upgrade is expected to save the farm $3,495 in annual energy costs and offset nearly 52 percent of its annual energy consumption by saving 104,279 kilowatt-hours (kWh), or enough energy to power nine homes.
Harrod and Harrod Farms, LLC in Rossburg, Ohio, received a $76,400 grant to purchase and install a 63.60-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. The project is expected to save $10,375 in annual energy costs and generate 87,188 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year, offsetting nearly 71 percent of the farm’s annual energy consumption.
Illio Investing, LLC in Berlin, Ohio, received a $66,660 grant to purchase and install a 50.925-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $10,321 in annual energy costs and generate 56,123 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting nearly 103 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
Superior Aluminum Products in Russia, Ohio, received a $58,459 grant to replace an inefficient HVAC system with a more energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. This project is expected to save the business $36,334 in annual energy costs and reduce energy consumption by nearly 35 percent of its annual energy consumption by saving 842,819 kilowatt hours (kWh), or enough energy to power 83 homes.
Complete Care Animal Hospital in Mount Vernon, Ohio received a $56,116 grant to purchase and install a 38.7-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the hospital $8,190 in annual energy costs and generate 39,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power three homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset nearly 100 percent of the hospital’s annual energy consumption.
Twin Oak Farms, LLC in Perrysville, Ohio, received a $39,882 grant to purchase and install a 30.1-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the farm $6,200 in annual energy costs and generate 31,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 73 percent of the farm’s annual energy consumption.
IRS, Inc., in Lima, Ohio received a $39,015 grant to install an energy efficient roof on one of its leased buildings. The project is expected to save the business $393 in annual energy costs and save 23,114 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, offsetting 49 percent of the building’s annual energy consumption.
Rick Knapke, dba RK Swine Hog Farm, LLC in New Weston, Ohio, received a $37,013 grant to purchase and install a 24.84-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the farm $10,238 in annual energy costs and generate 35,762 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power three homes, offsetting 41 percent of the farm's annual energy consumption.
Oasis Aqua Farm in Dayton, Ohio received a $30,172 grant to purchase and install a 21.84-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save $2,752 in annual energy costs and generate 30,580 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power two homes. This energy efficiency upgrade, offsetting 59 percent of the farm's annual energy consumption.
ERS Farm, LLC in New Weston, Ohio received a $24,125 grant to purchase and install a 19.08-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $2,848 in annual energy costs and generate 26,872 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power two homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 79 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio received a $389,387 Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Grant to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses applying for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This grant will be used to aid nearly 100 applications within Ohio, with emphasis on assisting distressed or disadvantaged communities.
Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) in Athens, Ohio, received a $100,000 Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant to provide free solar assessments to rural, small, for-profit businesses and agricultural producers throughout the state. This is an extension of the Solar Access Pathways program developed by SOPEC in fiscal year 2021. It is expected that this funding will enable SOPEC to complete up to 75 assessments during the next 12-month period.
Medina County Economic Development Corporation in Medina, Ohio, received a $100,000 Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Grant to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses applying for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This grant will be used to aid a minimum of 20 REAP applications in Medina, Wayne, and contiguous Counties.
Congress created REAP as part of the 2008 Farm Bill by combining the 2002 Farm Bill’s Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Energy Systems Program with an amended version of another 2002 Farm Bill program for grants for energy audits and assistance in using renewable energy technology and resources. The program was reauthorized in the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills.
In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expanded REAP and added additional funding so more rural businesses and producers can access the program and lower costs.
USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees, and grants to help businesses, communities, and families with economic opportunities, improved infrastructure, and safe, affordable housing that improves quality of life for residents in rural areas.
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