NEWS
RELEASE
United States Department
of Agriculture Rural Development
3001 Coolidge Rd. 2nd Floor North Suite 200 East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 324-5204 Fax: (517) 324-5225
alec.lloyd@mi.usda.gov
Contact: Alec Lloyd
(517) 324-5204
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding To Reduce Energy Costs for Rural Small Businesses
AMES, IOWA, November 9, 2011 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is funding projects to harness wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power to reduce energy costs for farms and small business across rural America. Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien made the announcement on the Secretary's behalf during his address here today at the Rural Young Entrepreneur Summit (YES).
"The Obama Administration is assisting small businesses, including farmers and ranchers, as they work to reduce their energy costs," O'Brien said. "When energy costs are reduced, American rural businesses become more competitive, allowing them to expand and create jobs."
One of the projects announced today will assist Hawkeye Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Cresco, Iowa, to install a geothermal heating and cooling system in its headquarters building. Coon Valley Turkeys, LLC, in Lake View, Iowa, is receiving funding to install a wind turbine to offset the cost of electricity. Gary Larson of Underwood, Iowa, will receive assistance to install a geothermal heating and cooling system in a shop that services his farming operations.
The YES event is sponsored by USDA Rural Development, the Community Vitality Center (CVC), Iowa State University's Extension, Outreach Community and Economic Development along with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Michigans recipients are:
Brad Hagen (Huron County) $17,002 grant, Geothermal
JADE (Huron County) $20,000 grant, Solar, geothermal
Reinbold Organic Farms (Tuscola County) $20,000 grant, Geothermal
Meadowridge Inc.(Ottawa County) $46,377 grant, Greenhouse efficiency
Lonnie Irion (Huron County) $35,724 grant, Solar, Geothermal
William Ankley (Lapeer County) $30,000 grant, Solar electric
USDA funding is being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and is contingent on the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement. REAP grants can finance up to 25 percent of a project's cost, up to $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements.
Since taking office, President Obama's Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities and for people who want to live, work and raise their families in rural communities.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
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