COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 28, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced today awards of more than $1.2 million in grant funding to six agricultural producers and rural small businesses in Ohio through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) so they can invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
“These projects continue Rural Development’s historic investment in renewable energy. As a result, Ohio farmers and rural small businesses will see lower energy bills and be able to reinvest these savings in their operations,” said McCracken. “Rural small businesses and agricultural producers are the backbone of Ohio’s economy, and USDA is working hard to lower operating costs so they can sustain and thrive.”
During the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2023, USDA awarded more than $22.9 million in REAP grants to 168 Ohio rural small businesses so they could purchase and install renewable energy or energy efficient systems.
The most recent Ohio REAP grant recipients include:
One RE, LLC, in Raymond, Ohio, received a $317,631 grant to purchase and install a 277-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar array in Raymond, Ohio. The project is expected to save this farming operation $44,000 in annual energy costs and generate 346,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, nearly 50 percent of its annual energy consumption.
Gillam Lawncare and Landscaping, LLC, in South Vienna, Ohio, received a $56,775 grant to purchase and install a 78-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. The project is expected to save this small business nearly $12,500 in annual energy costs and generate almost 105,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power nine homes.
Hi Tech Extrusions Ltd., in Chardon, Ohio, received a $13,389 grant to replace energy inefficient lighting with an energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system. The project is expected to save the business nearly $13,400 in annual energy costs and save 72,400 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, nearly 47 percent of its annual energy consumption.
Kevin Greene of DeGraff, Ohio, received a $99,407 grant to replace an outdated and inefficient grain dryer with a more energy efficient one for his farm operation. The project is expected to save the farm nearly $33,000 in annual energy costs and save almost 173,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy per year, enough energy to power 16 homes.
Matthew Miller of Sugarcreek, Ohio, received a $58,000 grant to purchase and install a 41-kilowatt (kW) solar array to provide electricity for his poultry growing operation. The project is expected to generate more than 48,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 120 percent of his business’ total annual energy consumption.
Weaver Group, Inc., in Sugarcreek, Ohio, received a $663,000 grant to purchase and install a 619-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array at this barn and furniture building business. The project is expected to save the business nearly $90,000 in annual energy costs and generate 642,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, or 100 percent of its annual energy consumption.
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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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
USDA Rural Development has five offices in Ohio – Columbus, Findlay, Hillsboro, Marietta, and Massillon. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Ohio, call (614) 255-2400 or visit our website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/oh.