Investment to Assist with 61 Renewable Energy and Efficiency Projects
COLUMBIA, MO, December 3, 2021– U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas today announced that USDA is awarding a total of $1,333,498 in grants (PDF, 141 KB) to rural Missouri farmers, ag producers, businesses, and institutions.
“USDA Rural Development is committed to supporting rural businesses make climate-smart decisions,” Thomas said. “Investments like the 61 announced today provide access to renewable energy and help make needed energy efficiency improvements, ultimately assisting Missouri farmers, ag producers, and small businesses lower their cost of energy.”
USDA is investing in 61 renewable energy and efficiency projects in Missouri through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Recipients can use REAP funding for a variety of needs such as conducting energy audits, installing renewable energy systems, and to make energy efficiency improvements. Listed below is a sampling of how Missouri farmers, ag producers, and rural business owners are making investments in their operations through this program (the full list of recipients is linked above).
- Golden City Meats, LLC, a small locally owned meat processing business in Golden City, will use a $48,750 grant to install a 100-kilowatt solar array. It is expected to save the business more than $11,000 annually and will replace nearly 80 percent of its energy use each year.
- An $11,145 grant will assist Arning Holding Company, a fabricator of petroleum canopies, purchase and install LED lighting throughout its facility in Cassville. The lighting is expected to save $9,141 per year, replacing 743,018 kilowatt hours (kWh) which is enough electricity to power 68 homes.
- Bar 7, Inc., a farming operation in Richmond, will use a $20,000 grant to install a grain drying system for two grain bins. This will save the farm $15,210 per year and replace 51 percent of its energy use annually.
- A $20,000 grant will assist Blue Ribbon Vending, LLC of Moberly purchase and install a 99-kilowatt solar array. It is expected to save the business more than $11,000 annually and will replace half of its energy use each year.
- A $49,975 grant will assist Tetley Company, LLC, a poultry farm operation in Oran, purchase and install two 75-kilowatt solar array systems. The project is expected to replace nearly 230,000 kWh annually, which is 100 percent of the operation’s annual energy use, and save $21,516 each year.
Earlier this year, the agency announced an additional 19 REAP investments in Missouri. In total this year, USDA Rural Development invested more than $1.5 million in 80 projects through this program to assist rural Missourians lower energy costs.
Today’s announcement comes as part of a larger, nationwide announcement from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack where he announced the Department is investing $633 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. These 791 investments are being made through five programs—Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Electric Loan Program, Rural Energy for America Program, Rural Energy Savings Program, and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program—and will help people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
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.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo, by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.
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