NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 28, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Tennessee State Director Arlisa Armstrong today announced that USDA is investing more than $1 million in renewable energy projects that lower energy costs, generate new income and create jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses.
Most of the projects announced today are being funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis, through the Rural Energy for America Program. In total, this funding advances the President’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up by increasing competition in agricultural markets, lowering costs and expanding clean energy.
“Today’s investments will expand access to renewable energy all while saving agricultural producers and businesses money on their energy cost, so that they can invest back into their business and community,” Armstrong said. “We are pleased to partner with ten farmers and rural small business owners on renewable energy to keep rural people and economies prepared for the future.”
Rural Clean Energy Production
Today’s announcement includes an investment of over $120 million in 541 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) projects across 44 states.
Through the REAP program, USDA provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs.
The REAP program is part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
These investments will cut energy costs for farmers and ag producers that can instead be used to create jobs and new revenue streams for people in their communities. In Tennessee:
- Vienna Coffee Company, a roastery and retail coffee store in Maryville, Tennessee, will install a 51.3-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar system. The project annually will save the business $6,717 and generate 61,072 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough energy to power five homes.
- MDS Foods Inc., a food manufacturing facility in Tullahoma, Tennessee will install a 22.32-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar system. The project annually will save the business $23,417 and generate 312,438 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough energy to power 26 homes.
- Farmer’s Hardware and Home Furnishings, a hardware retail store in Somerville, Tennessee will install a 53.6-kilowatt (kw) roof-mounted solar system. The project annually will save the business $6,648 and generate 61,951 kilowatt hours (kWh), which is enough energy to power five homes.
USDA is making the REAP awards in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $1.8 billion through REAP in over 6,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners' lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through September 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the 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, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, 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.
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