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Success Stories

Smith Island, Maryland

Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure is Key to Preserving Smith Island, Maryland

For the people living on Smith Island, the water matters. But it’s about more than the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from the picturesque island ten miles from the mainland. The multi‐generational residents depend on the surrounding Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods. For many, crabbing, oystering, and ecotourism are what puts dollars in their bank accounts, and food on their tables. In rural communities…
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Search Results: 57 Stories
Geoff Marietta solar panels

East Kentucky entrepreneur uses solar power to significantly cut power costs

Geoff Marietta found out just how expensive it can be to heat a 12,000-square-foot, 100-plus-year-old building. The building, located on the corner of 2nd and Main streets in downtown Corbin, Kentucky, sat vacant from 2005 until Marietta bought it in 2017. He immediately… [Read More]
EnergyEntrepreneurREAPRenewable Energy
Webb Farm Solar

Humboldt Community REAPs the Benefit of Webb Farm Solar

Located in rural Humboldt, Tennessee, Mr. Aaron Webb of Webb Farm Solar Systems Inc., owns and operates a minority owned solar farm. This farm has been in operation since 2012, with Photo-Voltaic (PV) Solar Systems on several farm properties.  It was in 2019, when Webb walked… [Read More]
EnergyGrantsREAPSolar EnergyUnderserved
Members of the Real Pickle Co-op stand on the roof of the building next to the new solar panels on a sunny day. Many are wearing coats and it looks chilly outside.

Solar: It’s a “Big Dill” for Real Pickles Cooperative

As USDA Rural Development (RD) highlights National Cooperative Month, one worker owned co-op in Massachusetts stands out as a model for sustainability, collaboration, and local food system resiliency. The saying goes “it’s not easy being green.” But for Real Pickles in… [Read More]
CooperativesEnergySustainable/Organic FoodsLocal FoodsLocal ProduceREAPRenewable EnergyRural Development
Cape Cod Coffee Shop owners

The Perks of Solar: Sustainability with Every Sip at Cape Cod Coffee

Many people have a passion for coffee. In fact, many of us cannot imagine starting our day without it. But for Pam and Jan Aggerbeck, owners of Cape Cod Coffee in Mashpee, Massachusetts, every cup of coffee is a part of their story of sustainability- And an opportunity to give… [Read More]
GrantsREAPRenewable EnergySolar EnergySustainable/Organic Foods
Man inside his brewery

Army Veteran Brings Brewing Back to Butte

In 2015, Tony Olson, who is a member of the Great Falls Little Shell Tribe and a U.S. Army National Guard Veteran, brought craft brew back to Butte, Mont.  He used USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program funding to install solar panels on his brewery’s roof.  And… [Read More]
REAPSmall BusinessTribal

Smart Ranching

The sun is just rising over the High Plains east of Roswell, New Mexico. --But the day for Trish and Kim Chessar at the Burnt Well Guest Ranch started more than an hour ago. Today, will be special, --their guests will become cowboys.   Since the Chessar’s opened the guest… [Read More]
REAP
Picture of Makoshika State Park

Improving Rural Communities, Business by Business

Glendive EyeCare is nestled in the heart of downtown Glendive, Montana, which is well-known by paleontologists and dinosaur enthusiasts as a treasure trove that is rich in history and archaeological findings. Despite living in a semi-arid climate, the staff of this optometry… [Read More]
REAP
REcreate gives 1% back to local non-profits to provide better opportunities for Flathead County

Bringing Micro-Manufacturing Back to Main Street

When Carol Lynn Lapotka purchased an historic building on Polson, Mont.'s Main Street to house REcreate Designs, LLC., her small-batch manufacturing plant and artist co-op, she knew renovations would be needed.  So, this environmentally-focused entrepreneur applied for USDA… [Read More]
REAPSmall Business
Solar Array

Practicing Sustainability on the Eastern Edge of Glacier National Park

In 2017, after years of planning, Sanford and Claire Stone realized their dream and broke ground on Park Cabin Company in Babb, Mont., an unincorporated farming and ranching community in Glacier County. Their modern cabins are located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and… [Read More]
BusinessREAPSolar Energy
heiwa tofu family photo

Solar Powered Tofu: Renewable Energy Powers Maine Business

From humble beginnings making tofu from their garage in Camden, to producing and distributing organic and locally-sourced tofu products throughout New England from their building in Rockport, the owners of Heiwa Tofu have always been focused on a “bright” future for their small… [Read More]
REAP

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