BISMARCK, N.D., Dec. 03, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director for North Dakota Mark Wax today announced the Department is investing $381,000 to construct or improve renewable energy projects in North Dakota.
“As technology improves, so should the items that we use, especially as more energy-efficient options become available,” said Wax. “Ensuring businesses have access to these upgrades is highlighted by the projects we are announcing today. We hope that many more businesses will reach out and ask how Rural Development can help them reduce their energy usage and improve the lifespan of equipment.”
Nationwide Background:
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack highlighted 793 investments that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Electric Loan Program, Rural Energy for America Program, Rural Energy Savings Program, and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
The funding will help people in all 50 states, as well as in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure, and social service needs.
These investments will help rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters. They will help build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. They will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. They will also help transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers by sharing the costs to install fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure.
For example:
- Fortuna Fire Protection District in Northern California is receiving a $277,800 Community Facilities Disaster Grant to purchase a new fire pumper engine that will be used to combat fires in an area where fires have increased dramatically over the years. This fire pumper engine will be equipped with new technology making it easier to communicate with other fire districts and respond more effectively to fires. The engine will help provide emergency response services to nearly 12,000 rural people.
- In North Carolina, Roanoke EMC will use a $6 million Rural Energy Savings Program loan to finance an energy efficiency relending program to fund projects such as replacing lighting, HVAC systems and water heaters, as well as installing electric vehicle charging systems.
- Wauchula Solar LLC in Hardee County, Fla., is receiving a $35,053 Rural Energy for America Program grant to install a 237.3-kilowatt solar array. The system will be placed on top of an abandoned building that has been converted into a hydroponic lettuce farm. The system will produce 388,235 kilowatt hours annually, which is enough energy to power 35 homes.
- Dressor Plains Solar will use an $85.7 million Electric Infrastructure loan to construct a 99-megawatt solar photovoltaic farm on 609 acres in Fayette County, Ill. Dressor Plains has a 27-year power purchase agreement with Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc. (Wabash) to sell and deliver the electricity produced. Wabash provides wholesale power to 23 distribution cooperatives in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.
In North Dakota:
- Bonnie Hoffman will use a $14,000 grant to install more energy efficient HVAC, lights, refrigeration, windows, and door systems. Bonnie Hofmann operates a locally owned and operated daycare in Medina, ND. This project will replace 32,791 kWh (27 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes.
- DMB Farms, Inc. will use a $25,000 grant to install a more energy efficient grain drying system. DMB Farms, Inc. is a family farm, raising small grains near Rugby, ND. This project will save the business $26,030 per year and will replace 434,529 kWh (40 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power 40 homes.
- Marco Tollefson will use a $15,000 grant to install a more energy efficient grain drying system. Marco Tollefson operates a family farm, raising small grains near Devils Lake, ND. This project will save the business $1,401 per year and will replace 32,771 kWh (45 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes.
- Mitchell Farms will use a nearly $170,000 grant to install a more energy efficient grain drying system. Mitchell Farms, Inc. is a family farm, raising small grains near Erie, ND. This project will save the business $44,823 per year and will replace 1,534,046 kWh (52 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power 141 homes.
- Pro IT, LLC. Will use a $14,000 grant to install a 20.4 kW solar array system. Pro It, LLC is a locally owned computer support shop in Williston, ND. This project will save the business $1,150 per year and will replace 28,149 kWh (206 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes.
- Steven Grenier will use a $43,000 grant to install a more energy efficient grain drying system. Steven Grenier operates a family farm, raising small grains near Rolette, ND. This project will save the business $5,492 per year and will replace 75,621 kWh (37 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power seven homes.
- Todd Yahna will use a $20,000 grant to install a more energy efficient grain drying system. Todd Yahna operates a family farm, raising small grains near Northwood, ND. This project will save the business $5,988 per year and will replace 171,956 kWh (26 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power 16 homes.
- Ackerman Farms will use an $80,000 grant to install a more energy efficient grain drying system. Ackerman Farms, Inc. is a family farm, raising small grains near Hillsboro, ND. This project will save the business $6,848 per year and will replace 88,747 kWh (56 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power eight homes.
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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate, smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.